Last updated 6/30/22
Summer 2017 Sonoma Discovery article about Jim: http://sonomadiscoveries.com/born-to-track/
If you would like to be on my monthly tracking announcements email list, please email me at sulliva5@sonic.net
1. Next SRJC ANIMAL TRACKING AND BIRD LANGUAGE COURSE BEGINS ON 27 August, 2022. TO REGISTER communityed@santarosa.edu
Note: Due to covid precautions, registration closes 2 weeks before the first class on 27 August.
For more information see Santa Rosa Junior College on top of this page.
2.There are currently three active Tracking and Bird Language Study Groups which meet twice a month each for one year on the first and third Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. $790/year full year paid in advance--a few partial scholar ships available where truly needed. I also accept payment schedules, but the price is for the full year total. 2022 enrollments open now. Contact me.
This is the best 4-season opportunity to practice tracking and bird language with a small group of people of all ages who want to develop competence as trackers.
3
The Monthly INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL TRACKING AND BIRD LANGUAGE CLASS USUALLY FALLS ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH. We meet from 8:30am till 12:30 pm on the entry road to the Bodega Dunes Campground. Bring water snacks/lunch, binoculars if you have them. Dress for changing weather on the coast. Easy hike. $35 This is a Drop-In Class. To be put on my mailing list. email me at sulliva5@sonic.net
4.
THE TRACKING CIRCLE IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE INTRODUCTORY CLASS OR HAVE OTHER TRACKING EXPERIENCE. IT MEETS from 8:30am till 12:30 pm ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH. If you are on my mailing list you will get a notification of where to meet a few days ahead of time. $15
The Following can be scheduled to fit your needs. See "courses" above
Workshops
Private or Group Introduction to Animal Tracking and Bird Language
Species Hikes, Nature Walks
Guided tracking hikes
Wildlife assessments of your property
Consultations
Lectures
Kill site analysis
2022 Tracking Study Groups Calendar
Tracking Study Groups meet on the First and Third Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays of each month.
ALL MEETINGS RUN FROM 8:30 TILL 12:30
Enrolled Trackers will receive notifications of locations a few days before each meeting.
Bring water, snacks/walking lunch, binoculars. Dress appropriately. Note that along the coast it usually rains much less than inland, so I don’t cancel unless more than light sprinkles are projected.
If you need to contact me in the morning before the class, call at 707 874 9924 around 7 a.m. or up to a half hour earlier if we are scheduled in PRNS or other distant location.
.
Please note: Once in a while I may need to adjust a date, in which case you will receive notification as soon as I find out.
Summer 2017 Sonoma Discovery article about Jim: http://sonomadiscoveries.com/born-to-track/
If you would like to be on my monthly tracking announcements email list, please email me at sulliva5@sonic.net
1. Next SRJC ANIMAL TRACKING AND BIRD LANGUAGE COURSE BEGINS ON 27 August, 2022. TO REGISTER communityed@santarosa.edu
Note: Due to covid precautions, registration closes 2 weeks before the first class on 27 August.
For more information see Santa Rosa Junior College on top of this page.
2.There are currently three active Tracking and Bird Language Study Groups which meet twice a month each for one year on the first and third Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. $790/year full year paid in advance--a few partial scholar ships available where truly needed. I also accept payment schedules, but the price is for the full year total. 2022 enrollments open now. Contact me.
This is the best 4-season opportunity to practice tracking and bird language with a small group of people of all ages who want to develop competence as trackers.
3
The Monthly INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL TRACKING AND BIRD LANGUAGE CLASS USUALLY FALLS ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH. We meet from 8:30am till 12:30 pm on the entry road to the Bodega Dunes Campground. Bring water snacks/lunch, binoculars if you have them. Dress for changing weather on the coast. Easy hike. $35 This is a Drop-In Class. To be put on my mailing list. email me at sulliva5@sonic.net
4.
THE TRACKING CIRCLE IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE INTRODUCTORY CLASS OR HAVE OTHER TRACKING EXPERIENCE. IT MEETS from 8:30am till 12:30 pm ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH. If you are on my mailing list you will get a notification of where to meet a few days ahead of time. $15
The Following can be scheduled to fit your needs. See "courses" above
Workshops
Private or Group Introduction to Animal Tracking and Bird Language
Species Hikes, Nature Walks
Guided tracking hikes
Wildlife assessments of your property
Consultations
Lectures
Kill site analysis
2022 Tracking Study Groups Calendar
Tracking Study Groups meet on the First and Third Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays of each month.
ALL MEETINGS RUN FROM 8:30 TILL 12:30
Enrolled Trackers will receive notifications of locations a few days before each meeting.
Bring water, snacks/walking lunch, binoculars. Dress appropriately. Note that along the coast it usually rains much less than inland, so I don’t cancel unless more than light sprinkles are projected.
If you need to contact me in the morning before the class, call at 707 874 9924 around 7 a.m. or up to a half hour earlier if we are scheduled in PRNS or other distant location.
.
Please note: Once in a while I may need to adjust a date, in which case you will receive notification as soon as I find out.
If you would like to be on my monthly tracking announcements email list, please email me at sulliva5@sonic.net
Introduction to Animal Tracking and Bird Language
Second Saturday of every month.
This is an ongoing drop-in class for entry level trackers and for self-taught and intermediate trackers who want to deepen their tracking knowledge and awareness skills and plug into the tracking community. We explore tracking lore and traditional practices along with input from biology and the cognitive sciences. It provides an opportunity to experience tracking and bird language in the field with other trackers. Our focus is on learning to identify the tracks and sign of local animals, birds, insects and other life forms. We also explore the "spiritual" life of both the ancient trackers and contemporary trackers. This is the recommended first course and may be repeated.
Usually we meet on the entrance road to the Bodega Dunes campground a mile north of Bodega Bay at 8:30 am the second Saturday of every month. Please sign up for my tracking list to receive notifications of this and other tracking opportunities. If we plan to meet somewhere else, you will be notified. The weather may be foggy and cool, but do come prepared for warm weather, too, as it changes rapidly on the coast. Bring water and a snack, binoculars if you have them. No gear is required. We finish up at 12:30 pm, sometimes later if something interesting comes up. All skill levels welcome. Easy hike. It is helpful to me if you can make reservations, but drop-ins are welcome, although I won't be able to notify you of any last minute changes. $35
The class opens with an introductory survey of animal tracking and bird language after which we head out to the field to practice some of the techniques we are learning.
If rain threatens, call me between 7 and 8 am on Saturday morning to find out if the class is cancelled. 707 874-9927
Second Saturday of every month.
This is an ongoing drop-in class for entry level trackers and for self-taught and intermediate trackers who want to deepen their tracking knowledge and awareness skills and plug into the tracking community. We explore tracking lore and traditional practices along with input from biology and the cognitive sciences. It provides an opportunity to experience tracking and bird language in the field with other trackers. Our focus is on learning to identify the tracks and sign of local animals, birds, insects and other life forms. We also explore the "spiritual" life of both the ancient trackers and contemporary trackers. This is the recommended first course and may be repeated.
Usually we meet on the entrance road to the Bodega Dunes campground a mile north of Bodega Bay at 8:30 am the second Saturday of every month. Please sign up for my tracking list to receive notifications of this and other tracking opportunities. If we plan to meet somewhere else, you will be notified. The weather may be foggy and cool, but do come prepared for warm weather, too, as it changes rapidly on the coast. Bring water and a snack, binoculars if you have them. No gear is required. We finish up at 12:30 pm, sometimes later if something interesting comes up. All skill levels welcome. Easy hike. It is helpful to me if you can make reservations, but drop-ins are welcome, although I won't be able to notify you of any last minute changes. $35
The class opens with an introductory survey of animal tracking and bird language after which we head out to the field to practice some of the techniques we are learning.
If rain threatens, call me between 7 and 8 am on Saturday morning to find out if the class is cancelled. 707 874-9927
Monthly Tracking Circle
Second Sunday of every month
This is a loose group of trackers with varying levels of experience who have been meeting for several years to practice our techniques. Anyone who has taken my Intro Class, or JC Class, or has other tracking experience is welcome. There are usually several certified trackers who share their experience. I do not give an opening lecture, but usually do set a theme for the day and do recon the sites frequently. $15
Everyone is welcome, but if you haven't had any tracking experience, you should take the Second Saturday Introductory class first.
NOTE: If rain threatens, call me between 7 and 8 am on the morning of the meeting to find out if the class is moved or cancelled. 707 874-9927
Second Sunday of every month
This is a loose group of trackers with varying levels of experience who have been meeting for several years to practice our techniques. Anyone who has taken my Intro Class, or JC Class, or has other tracking experience is welcome. There are usually several certified trackers who share their experience. I do not give an opening lecture, but usually do set a theme for the day and do recon the sites frequently. $15
Everyone is welcome, but if you haven't had any tracking experience, you should take the Second Saturday Introductory class first.
NOTE: If rain threatens, call me between 7 and 8 am on the morning of the meeting to find out if the class is moved or cancelled. 707 874-9927
Sample of Past classes, workshops and lectures:
Pepperwood Nature Preserve: Animal Tracking and Bird Language classes
Guest co-leader Laguna Sunrise Walkers Winter Solstice Celebration Dec 20 2015
Santa Rosa Junior College Community Education course: Animal Tracking and Bird Language for 12 semesters, planning to resume after Covid 19
Science Buzz Lecture: Getting inside the minds of animals, perspectives from tracking and cognitive science...January 2014,
Land Paths Bohemia Ranch tracking and bird language workshop 22 June 2014: repeat of last year's sold out half day workshop
Opt in trip to Bohemia Ranch to see Mt. Lion kill site
Bel Aire Elementary school, Tiburon, day long tracking workshop Oct 21 2014
Day long workshop with Matt Nelson and Jim Sullivan 22 March, 2015
Camp Newman workshop co-taught with Rabbi George Gittleman 19 Feb 2015
Multiple classes at Bohemia Ranch
Multiple workshops at several locations for Sonoma County Land Trust
4 day deer rut and trailing workshop co-taught with Megan Walla-Murphy Sept 2017
Year long, twice a month, Animal Tracking and Bird Language Study Groups
Monthly Introduction to Animal Tracking and Bird Language
Monthly hosting of the local Tracking Circle
BIRD LANGUAGE LECTURE: lecture focused on Bird Language to Sebastopol’s Science Buzz group on Tuesday 8 May, 2018,
