Member Spotlight: Timothy Mielcarek & Brian Marquez
This month we are delighted to feature ABF Board Member Timothy Mielcarek and his husband, Brian Marquez, whose lives are deeply tied to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Tim’s connection to the Park spans more than 70 years, beginning with camping trips as a baby with his conservationist parents. Over the decades, his love for Anza-Borrego has only deepened—most recently through completing his California Naturalist Certification with ABF and UC. Now retired after a 30+ year career in insurance and business intelligence, Tim brings his professional expertise in data analysis, strategic planning, and financial oversight to support ABF’s mission.
Brian, a longtime public educator, first visited the Park 37 years ago and has been exploring alongside Tim ever since. Together, they’ve celebrated their 37th anniversary and shared countless adventures across Anza-Borrego’s canyons, trails, and wildflower meadows. From their favorite haunts in Coyote Canyon and Hellhole Canyon to treasured memories of family campouts and starry desert nights, Tim and Brian remind us that the Park is not just a place—it’s a lifelong companion.
What is your favorite location in the Park?
If I had to pick just one of my favorite areas, I suppose it might be the Coyote Canyon areas. To be perfectly honest, I really don’t just have one favorite place. Brian is quite fond of the Hellhole Canyon area.
What is your favorite season in the Park and why?
Every season in the desert offers nuances and details unique to that season, but for practicability, the springtime offers the most spectacular opportunities for adventure, exploration, and recreation—not to mention camping. Brian concurs, but his favorite season is “from late fall through early spring,” the only other of Brian’s seasons being summer.
Tell us about your first experience in the Park.
I don’t really remember my first experience in any vivid detail, because it was over 70 years ago and I was in diapers, camping with mom and dad. Brian remembers driving to Peg-Leg Pete’s camp area to meet up with family and make blueberry pancakes in our relatives’ motor home 37 years ago.
If you could be any desert animal, what would it be and why?
The Desert Horned Lizards are, perhaps, my favorite desert animal, because this kind of beauty can only come from the natural world. Brian tried to respond to this question, but it was a zoo.
How long have you been visiting the Park?
More than 70 years, thanks to my mom and dad (my 70th birthday was this year in June). Brian has been visiting for more than 37 years. Brian and I celebrated our 37th anniversary in September this year.
Why did you become a member?
I am a member of the ABF because, like my parents before me, I understand the importance of the ABF mission: “to protect and preserve the natural landscapes, wildlife habitat and cultural heritage of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and its surrounding region for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.” With the California population increasing from about 10 million in 1950 to about 40 million in 2025, the ABF mission is more important than ever.
Anything else you’d like to share?
In the late 1950s and 1960s, mom and dad would pack up our 1950 Willys Overland (Jeep) station wagon and head out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with me and my sister to go camping. The Willys is still in my garage 75 years later and I think it runs better than I do.
Want to be a featured member? Email Jaime at jaime@theabf.org!
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Featured Image: Tim camping in the Park as a young child.
