An honorary park ranger was named in recognition of his leadership and years of volunteer service to Placerita Canyon Nature Center in the Santa Clarita Valley, officials announced Monday.

Ron Kraus, president of the Placenta Canyon Nature Center Associates, was sworn in during a luncheon ceremony by County Park Ranger Frank Hoffman. Kraus was named a Los Angeles County Volunteer of the Year for 2015 as noted by Hoffman.

PCNCA is the group of 100-plus volunteers behind the events and organized hikes at the park.

The organization also provides the docents who staff the newly redesigned Nature Center Museum.

Kraus, who retired from a career with the L.A. City Parks Department, started volunteering at Placerita in 2002, but that wasn’t his first experience with the park. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley and used to hike the canyon as a boy.

Kraus quickly assumed a leadership role with PCNCA, coordinating the docent training program, arranging lectures and leading hikes. In addition to the natural history, he also has a deep knowledge of the park’s “human” history of gold and oil.

Kraus served as vice president of the organization under Jim Southwell, who recently retired as president after serving in that post for 16 years. Kraus was elected his successor.

Here’s to the next 16.

To get involved with the Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates, visit their website here.

Story by: Leon Worden, SCVTV