Wayne Attoe

 Wayne Attoe grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and left his hometown to pursue his B.A. in English from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and a B.Architecture from the University of California in Berkeley. He has written and edited books on architecture and urban development and taught architecture through the 1960’s and 1970’s at universities in Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas and Louisiana. He has also restored vintage houses in Berkeley.  

In 1989, Wayne and his late husband, Peter Frith, bought 160 nearly inaccessible acres- off the grid- north of Cambria on Red Mountain. In 1993 they began building their own home. Wayne’s appreciation and wonder for the local environment compelled him to find ways to help conserve this landscape. He learned about Greenspace and joined the organization. With his knowledge in architecture and history, Wayne has played an important role in the preservation and restoration of the historical Chinese Temple at the Creekside Reserve. He also contributes his writing and editorial skills for Greenspace’s publications and brings an in-depth understanding of the native Monterey pine tree history and ecology. 

Wayne has been a part of Greenspace from its early years and brings historical perspective and experience for telling the Greenspace story, including a book, Greenspace So Far…Greenspace – The Cambria Land Trust at 25 Years. 

In his free time, Wayne enjoys singing with the Cambria Chorale and researching and writing for publications. He is currently finishing a book about the history of the Big Sur Coastal Highway.