Alden is the son of California ecologist and botanist John D. Olmsted, and a native California resident. Alden grew up with a childhood filled with exploration and love of the outdoors, primarily in Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino counties. Alden reconnected with his father through many trips to the South Yuba River beginning in 1994, and became his caregiver when, in September of 2010, John was given six months to live. Alden began researching John’s history of park and trail work, and documenting their subsequent reconnection, completing the documentary feature "My Father, who art in nature," five days before Johns’ passing on March 8, 2011. Alden has been thrust into defending his fathers’ life’s work when, in May of 2011, Governor Jerry Brown’s budget forced closures of 70 state parks, including each of the parks John helped to save.

Brian Raley is a rock climber and lifetime outdoor enthusiast. He has extensive experience with non-profit organizations filling roles in treasury, accounting, and finance. He provides both audit and tax filing consulting to non-profits in the Bay Area specializing in 501-C setup and accounting software implementation.

Laura is a freelance writer with more than a decade of journalism experience. She loves the outdoors and makes a point to regularly visit state parks and public lands with her two sons and anyone else who will tag along. She lives in Nevada County, home of the South Yuba River State Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park and Empire Mine State Historic Park where she swims, hikes and explores gold mining history. Laura met John Olmsted in 2005 on the Independence Trail and forged a friendship with him during the latter years of his life. She feels honored to work with his son, Alden, who carries a similar vision for conservation of public lands.