Sonoma Mountain Ecology Notes aims to build ecological understanding by sharing images and stories from the land. In learning about the world around us we gain familiarity and feel more closely connected to the rest of life. By creating brief regular posts we hope to give people a daily moment to see and contemplate the lives of creatures who are all around us but often go unnoticed.
Jim Coleman created Sonoma Mountain Ecology Notes (SMEN) in collaboration with the Sonoma Mountain Institute (SMI) (https://sonomamountaininstitute.org) in August 2020. Jim is a board member for SMI and conducts their ecological monitoring program to assist in the informed management efforts on the land. He lives and works at the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (http://oaec.org) as a biologist and land manager, photographer and builder. Jim also works with endangered species in the vernal pools of the Santa Rosa area and has been involved in other vegetation and habitat mapping projects in the North Bay Area. His past work as a biologist and naturalist in Michigan, North Carolina, Alaska, Cape Cod, Vermont and Costa Rica have shown him the value of helping raise awareness of the many local creatures that deserve our care and attention.