 Olmsted patterned his life after that of fellow environmentalist John Muir, with his trademark beard, formal clothing, and poetic and spiritual leanings towards the benefits of time spent in nature.He founded the Earth Planet Museum in Grass Valley  as a tribute to John Muir, environmentalism in California, and as a visual history of recorded audio and alternate technologies.During his time in Mendocino he worked with Hans Jenny in recognizing and preserving the Pygmy Forest, which is located within the boundaries of Jug Handle.