Fred Rubin

Fred has embraced environmental activism by focusing on education. His wealth of teaching experience and collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds has contributed valuable organizational skills to the establishment of CBR. With a background rooted in simple living, farming, and collaborative efforts, he has developed a profound appreciation for the gifts of nature and the intricacies of biodiversity. 

His specific fascination with honeybees led him to the Bee Biology facility at the University of California, Davis. Throughout his tenure teaching at high schools and colleges, Fred intricately connected community professionals and students in diverse fields such as Forestry, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Aquaculture. Serving as an FFA Advisor, he initiated farmers’ markets and school farms.

He played a pivotal role in uniting fishing organizations, academic institutions, environmental regulators and even the Grateful Dead to collaboratively fund, construct, and operate the Model Marine Lab for California Schools. This facility provided a platform where professionals mentored students, conducting vital local research on the marine environment.

Fred’s academic background includes a BS in Biology, a Specialist Credential in Agriculture, and a Masters in Educational Leadership.  His extensive teaching and research endeavors led him on fortunate journeys throughout Europe, Russia, Central America  and Asia.

His commitment to enhancing the learning experience for both students and the community garnered him numerous awards, including a Monterey Bay Aquarium Teaching Fellowship, recognition as the Northern California Agricultural Science Teacher of the Year, and the prestigious Scripps Institute of Oceanography Isaac’s Marine Science Educator of the Year.

Fred’s adventurous spirit is reflected in his diverse experiences, such as  hitchhiking from Canada to Panama and bicycling through Cuba to years of living in the woods without electricity or running water. Having retired from public education in 2015, his favorite rewards were engaging students in critical thinking, motivating their successes, and hearing their laughter. Even in retirement, Fred remains active, volunteering and extensively traveling to gain insights into sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and conservation.