Last updated January 17, 2017
1. The fall 2017 SRJC Community education Animal Tracking and Bird Language Intensive runs from August 26 to October 22
Animal Tracking and Bird Language is an 8 session deep immersion into the art and science and spiritual practice of animal tracking and bird language with internationally certified local tracker Jim Sullivan, presented by the SRJC community Education program. This is the deep portal to Nature.
Once a month on weekends we will meet at some of the most beautiful and best tracking sites in the North Bay. You will learn the basics by tracking our local animals and practicing make meaning out of bird calls the way trackers do.
In addition to studying the lore and techniques of the ancient trackers, we will also be informed by modern biology and by the contemporary cognitive sciences as we use tracking to develop a deeper understanding and of the world we live and track in.
This course will not be open for enrollment until later, probably in September. I will send out an announcement at that time. If you would like to receive notification and more information please contact me at sulliva5@sonic.net.
2.Next enrollment opening soon: There are currently two active Tracking and Bird Language Study Groups which meet twice a month for a whole year, one on the first and third Fridays of the Month, the other on the first and third Saturdays. $780/year ($32.50/session, 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 ). 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.
Sorry, these are both full now, but I am going to open enrollment for the next year soon. Please contact me if you are interested so you get notification.
3
The Monthly INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL TRACKING AND BIRD LANGUAGE CLASS USUALLY FALLS ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH (WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS). We meet from 9 am till 1:00 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. $30
Remaining 2017 dates
June 10
July 8
August 12
Sept 9
Oct 14
Nov 12
Dec 9
4.
THE TRACKING CIRCLE IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE INTRODUCTORY CLASS OR HAVE OTHER TRACKING EXPERIENCE. IT MEETS ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS. Location to be announced each time. If you are on my list you will get a notification a week or so ahead of time. $15
Remaining dates
June 11
July 9
August 13
Sept 10
Oct 8
Nov 12
Dec 10
September Workshop: Tracking Autumn and the Deer Rut co-taught with MEGAN WALLA- MURPHY : Sept 21 through 24. Limited to 8 participants total. $430/person.
This is a 4 day immersion in the local wild life of the Sonoma coast with a focus on deer. We will be exploring track and sign, trailing, gaits, journaling, mapping, story telling and the life history of our deer. We will be camping out at the Bodega Dunes campground. I'll post more information on this soon.
The Following can be scheduled to fit your needs
Workshops
Introduction to Animal Tracking and Bird Language
Species Hikes
Guided tracking hikes
Wildlife assessments of your property
Consultations
Lectures
Kill site analysis
1. The fall 2017 SRJC Community education Animal Tracking and Bird Language Intensive runs from August 26 to October 22
Animal Tracking and Bird Language is an 8 session deep immersion into the art and science and spiritual practice of animal tracking and bird language with internationally certified local tracker Jim Sullivan, presented by the SRJC community Education program. This is the deep portal to Nature.
Once a month on weekends we will meet at some of the most beautiful and best tracking sites in the North Bay. You will learn the basics by tracking our local animals and practicing make meaning out of bird calls the way trackers do.
In addition to studying the lore and techniques of the ancient trackers, we will also be informed by modern biology and by the contemporary cognitive sciences as we use tracking to develop a deeper understanding and of the world we live and track in.
This course will not be open for enrollment until later, probably in September. I will send out an announcement at that time. If you would like to receive notification and more information please contact me at sulliva5@sonic.net.
2.Next enrollment opening soon: There are currently two active Tracking and Bird Language Study Groups which meet twice a month for a whole year, one on the first and third Fridays of the Month, the other on the first and third Saturdays. $780/year ($32.50/session, 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 ). 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.
Sorry, these are both full now, but I am going to open enrollment for the next year soon. Please contact me if you are interested so you get notification.
3
The Monthly INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL TRACKING AND BIRD LANGUAGE CLASS USUALLY FALLS ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH (WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS). We meet from 9 am till 1:00 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. $30
Remaining 2017 dates
June 10
July 8
August 12
Sept 9
Oct 14
Nov 12
Dec 9
4.
THE TRACKING CIRCLE IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE INTRODUCTORY CLASS OR HAVE OTHER TRACKING EXPERIENCE. IT MEETS ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS. Location to be announced each time. If you are on my list you will get a notification a week or so ahead of time. $15
Remaining dates
June 11
July 9
August 13
Sept 10
Oct 8
Nov 12
Dec 10
September Workshop: Tracking Autumn and the Deer Rut co-taught with MEGAN WALLA- MURPHY : Sept 21 through 24. Limited to 8 participants total. $430/person.
This is a 4 day immersion in the local wild life of the Sonoma coast with a focus on deer. We will be exploring track and sign, trailing, gaits, journaling, mapping, story telling and the life history of our deer. We will be camping out at the Bodega Dunes campground. I'll post more information on this soon.
The Following can be scheduled to fit your needs
Workshops
Introduction to Animal Tracking and Bird Language
Species Hikes
Guided tracking hikes
Wildlife assessments of your property
Consultations
Lectures
Kill site analysis
If you would like to be on my monthly tracking class email list, please email me at sullliva5@sonic.net
For those who would like to be on the Opt-in list to be notified of additional tracking opportunities that may turn up at any time, such as last year's trip to the Bohemian Ranch to visit a fresh Mt. Lion kill site, please mention the opt in list on your email.
For those who would like to be on the Opt-in list to be notified of additional tracking opportunities that may turn up at any time, such as last year's trip to the Bohemian Ranch to visit a fresh Mt. Lion kill site, please mention the opt in list on your email.
Introduction to Animal Tracking and Bird Language
Second Saturday of every month.
This is an ongoing 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 form 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.
Usually we meet on the entrance road to the Bodega Dunes campground a mile north of Bodega Bay at 9 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, binos if you have them, and any other tracking gear you like, although no gear is required. We finish up at 1 pm, sometimes a bit 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. $30
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 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 form 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.
Usually we meet on the entrance road to the Bodega Dunes campground a mile north of Bodega Bay at 9 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, binos if you have them, and any other tracking gear you like, although no gear is required. We finish up at 1 pm, sometimes a bit 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. $30
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 with 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.
If rain threatens, call me between 7 and 8 am on Saturday morning 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 with 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.
If rain threatens, call me between 7 and 8 am on Saturday morning 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 Fall Semester 2014, Summer 2015, Spring 2016 , winter 2016/17
Soon enrolling for Fall 2017.
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 14 August 201
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 workshops at Bohemia Ranch,
Multiple workshops at several locations for Sonoma County Land Trust
