Supporter Spotlight: Joel Gartenber
This month, we’re proud to feature Joel Gartenberg, a passionate IATC board member whose love for the Issaquah Alps is rooted in trail running, birding, and conservation. Through his deep connection to the trails, Joel inspires others to explore, appreciate, and protect the wild spaces in our backyard.
Photo courtesy of Joel Gartenberg.
By Joel Gartenberg, IATC Board Member
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you first found your way to IATC.
I am a 27-year-old birdwatcher and ultramarathon runner—which means I spend half my time moving as fast as humanly possible and the other half standing completely still, locked in on trees. I grew up off of Forest Drive, right next to the Coal Creek trail system, and currently spend my lunch breaks running through the Issaquah Alps trails behind Costco, where I work as a legal data analyst. In my free time, I’m usually doing one of three things: running trails, memorizing bird calls, or hanging out with my partner (probably should have listed her first)!
What motivated you to join the board, and what’s been most rewarding about serving in that capacity?
As an ultra-runner who has logged thousands of miles in the Issaquah Alps, these trails have long been my home. They have given me a beautiful space to connect deeply with the natural world, helped me build a close-knit community of friends, and provided me with a sense of peace and a chance to slow down. Because the Issaquah Alps have given me so much, I wanted to return the favor by fostering that same sense of connection and belonging for others, while also doing my part to protect the land. I found that opportunity while on a run with the Issaquah Alps Trail Running Club, where I met our current board president, Kelly Jiang, who encouraged me to get involved.
Serving on the board has been an incredibly rewarding experience. If I had to narrow it down to my absolute favorite moments, they would have to be out on the trails… duh! Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to co-lead guided plant and bird hikes with Mary Nakasone from the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS). These hikes have offered a wonderful chance to slow down and truly immerse myself in the natural world. On our latest spring hike, we were blessed with a very curious Wilson’s Warbler, who hung around to say “hi” to our group of 12. Everyone got a great look at the little guy, which pretty much never happens. The best part about these hikes is that it feels like a safe space to geek out and be unapologetically passionate about every chirp, slug, leaf, and fern we find.
Photo courtesy of Joel Gartenberg.
As a Cougar Mountain resident and trail runner, how do the Issaquah Alps show up in your daily life?
Growing up just off of Cougar Mountain, the Issy Alps have shaped my whole life. With the Alps in my backyard, my life consisted of playing around in Coal Creek as a kid and having to walk up 35% grade hills just to get to my bus stop in the rain, sleet, or snow. It meant the occasional bear or bobcat running through my yard and getting into staring matches with coyotes. In the spring and summer, it meant waking up to the songs of robins, purple finches, and Western tanagers. Even now, while working at Costco’s Issaquah campus, I have an epic view of the Issy Alps from my desk (which makes it very hard to focus, especially when I have an eagle or osprey flyover)! As soon as 4:30 hits, I’m out the door and making my way up Tiger Mountain, letting my mind go blank and listening for cool birds.
What do conservation and stewardship mean to you, both on and off the trails?
Conservation and stewardship mean birds to me! I see birds as a gateway for people to connect with nature and their local environment. I feel that it’s important to share this passion with my community, offering an entry point for those who might not feel as connected to our natural spaces. On the trails, stewardship also means setting a good example, especially around people younger than me. I make sure to smile, share my excitement, point out birds, pick up wrappers, and always stay on the trail. Off the trails, I like to strike up conversations about sustainability at work and get HYPED up while explaining to my friends just how beneficial wetlands are (usually unprompted).
Photo courtesy of Joel Gartenberg.
Do you have a favorite trail, route, or place in the Issaquah Alps that always pulls you back?
With so many miles under my belt, choosing a favorite spot is tough, but a few trails hold a special place in my heart. The steep, winding singletrack of the De Leo Wall Trail on Cougar Mountain offers fun, diverse terrain that breaks up my typical forest runs. The Talus Grade Trail on Tiger Mountain makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in time, running among the dinosaurs. I really like big rocks. But my absolute favorite has to be the Section Line Trail on Tiger Mountain. It's the ultimate training ground for my quads, and I’ve spent so much time on that trail that I can predict exactly what birds we will see or hear every quarter-mile, all the way to the top!
What would you say to someone who’s curious about getting involved with IATC or local conservation efforts but isn’t sure where to start?
My advice is simple: just show up to a guided hike or restoration event. You don’t need to be an experienced botanist, an ultra-runner or have all the King County bird songs memorized to belong. You just need a spark of curiosity. Come join us on the trail, learn something new, and let yourself get excited about the wild spaces in our backyard. Once you fall in love with what I call the “Real Alps,” wanting to protect it becomes second nature.