Hidden Heroes of the Greenbelt 2025

NEW DATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025

Preservation Park, Oakland

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

ANNOUNCING the 2025'S HIDDEN HEROES OF THE GREENBELT

This year’s Hidden Heroes of the Greenbelt awards awards are being given to three extraordinary leaders from Alameda, San Francisco, and Newark, whose stories are inspiring. Their contributions to climate and land-use policies will leave a legacy of positive impact in the region!

Hidden Hero of the Greenbelt recognized for fostering nature-based climate adaptation

Miguel Marquez

Park Ranger at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Fremont

Miguel is a Park Ranger for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. He was the first in his family to graduate college, earning a BA in Environmental Studies with an option in Natural Resource Land Use Management from Cal State University Hayward in 2006.

Miguel connects with the surrounding community through outreach, education programs, volunteer clean-ups, and outdoor recreation. He often visits local schools to speak with students about his career path and the importance of wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. Before joining the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about five years ago, Miguel was a Park Ranger with the National Park Service in Washington DC, Hot Springs Arkansas, and San Francisco, serving as a park guide, supervisory park ranger, and interpretive specialist. Being an Interpretive Ranger allows him to share stories of the past, work at historical sites, lead hiking, biking, and kayak tours, and inspire, educate, and connect with people from within his community and abroad.

Miguel enjoys connecting and sharing his passion for wildlife with others and building future stewards of public lands. From the West Coast to the East, and down south and back to the Bay, he continues to promote environmental education, build community, and share his love for the outdoors.

Hidden Hero of the Greenbelt recognized for planning for climate change resilience

Danielle Mieler

Sustainability and Resilience Manager
City of Alameda

As the Sustainability and Resilience Manager for the City of Alameda, Danielle is responsible for equitably implementing the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. Danielle co-chairs the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee (OAAC), a coalition of local, regional, state, and federal stakeholders and community-based organizations working to co-create a coordinated and inclusive future-looking action plan to accelerate sea level rise adaptation, protect and restore water quality, recreation and habitat, and promote community resilience.

Danielle brings extensive experience to this work from her past roles in local and regional resilience planning. She previously managed San Francisco's Lifelines Council, Earthquake Safety Implementation Program and Tall Buildings Study, and the Association of Bay Area Governments’ Resilience Program.

She received a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley and a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz. Danielle is a long-time resident of Alameda where she is raising her two sons who enjoy riding bikes and visiting Alameda’s parks and beaches.

Hidden Hero of the Greenbelt recognized for promoting climate-SMART housing

Rachael Tanner

Director of Planning Department
City and County of San Francisco

Rachael A. Tanner is a leader in planning, land use, and public policy, currently serving as the Director of Citywide Planning for the City and County of San Francisco. Surrounded by the best long-range planning team in the state of California and under Rich Hillis’ leadership, Rachael works closely with the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and other stakeholders.

Prior to joining the Department in February of 2024, Rachael served the City of Palo Alto and the City of Long Beach. She also served on the San Francisco Board of Appeals and as the President of the San Francisco Planning Commission.

As a multi-faceted entrepreneur, Rachael built practices in different disciplines including wedding officiating, career and life coaching, and organizational development. In her personal time, Rachael enjoys exploring the natural beauty and urban wonders throughout the Bay and California, attending Glide Memorial Church on Sundays, and beautifying the Hub neighborhood where she lives.

Hidden Heroes of the Greenbelt is an annual benefit for Greenbelt Alliance that honors the often unseen yet remarkable government staff leading extraordinary work at the intersection of land use and climate change in the Bay Area.

Throughout our 65+ year history, we’ve worked alongside dedicated government staff catalyzing impact in their communities across the Bay Area. Many of these heroes are creating systemic change for our cities by taking on complex projects to increase housing opportunities while protecting nature, expanding outdoor access, and building climate resilience. From launching parklet plans during the pandemic to facilitating wildfire education and building living levees, these local climate champions are creating lasting change.

The Hidden Heroes of the Greenbelt event is a festive day when residents, nonprofits, government, and businesses come together and celebrate our collective commitment to this work. Over four years, this celebration has become a powerful platform amplifying the inspiring stories of those who transform how our region addresses its pressing environmental challenges.

Learn more about our previous Hidden Heroes

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Together, we’ll activate Oakland’s treasured Victorian neighborhood with learning opportunities, panel discussions, and special guests that’ll inspire us all.

Grab a drink and some food from Off the Grid’s Food Truck selection and vibe out and dance to live music.

Limited Early Bird tickets are available now! Enter the code “HEROES25” to get yours before they sell out!

Preservation Park

Occupying two blocks in the heart of downtown Oakland, Preservation Park is a Victorian neighborhood, a unique collection of historic residences transformed into the City’s most innovative workplace and event center. Preservation Park is an innovative office center for nonprofit organizations and small businesses that further cultural, social, and environmental aims. Alive with new use, the houses continue to play a vital part in the City’s history, as they have for a hundred years.

Have Fun!

Grab a drink and some food from Off the Grid’s Food Truck selection, vibe out and dance to live music, and learn how incredible leaders in local government are making a difference in our Bay Area communities this August.

Connect with Community Partners

Explore our different booths throughout the venue to engage in conversation and learn about the work of our community partners.

THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS 2025 SPONSORS

Conservation Education Sponsor

Natural Lands Sponsors

Thriving Neighborhoods Sponsors

In-Kind Donations

BECOME A SPONSOR

By becoming a 2025 Hidden Heroes of the Greenbelt sponsor, you are signaling your organization’s support of local champions and enabling us to continue to be a resource to local government when it’s needed most. Learn more about sponsor benefits and support our work today!