Martin Balding is an energy use consultant and represents environmental and conservation interests on the council. He is a resident of Susanville and has extensive knowledge of northeast California. He owns grazing land in the Susanville area and is an avid hiker and camper. Martin has Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Industrial Arts Education and and is active with the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Group, Pine Creek and Eagle Lake Coordinated Resource Management Planning Groups and the Susanville Ranch Implementation Project. He is also the environmental chairman for the Eagle Lake Chapter of the National Audubon Society.