Ellen Barth has been a member of local environmental groups for many years, including the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club. A long-time bird watcher, she has taken part in bird monitoring programs for PRBO, Golden Gate Audubon, FWS, and North American Loon Fund. She has served on the Board of several small environmental groups. She was involved in science education for several years in Berkeley Public schools. As a docent at the California Academy of Sciences since 1978, Barth has served as lecturer, facilitator and trainer for new docents and helped develop the training courses. She served in many capacities, including Chair, on the Docent Council Board. She has a M.A. in Political Science and is a certified Gerontologist