Leader Details

Jim Bland Jim grew up in Central California, hence Yosemite, the Westside Wetlands, and the Central Coast are his home turf. He's had a lifelong passion for wild animals, and holds multiple degrees in wildlife-related topics. He attended college in northern California (CSU Humboldt), Wisconsin (UW Madison), and Los Angeles (UCLA), and taught at Santa Monica College for more than a decade. He returned to Central California in 2021, when he retired from teaching and research. He began his teaching career at Sacramento State as a lecturer in Ornithology, then became a tenured professor at Santa Monica College, where he taught courses in Zoology, Biology, Environmental Science, and Field Ornithology. His research career centered around game birds and Himalayan forest ecology. He is a former Director of the Game Bird Research Group, and is a leading authority on Himalayan Snowcock and Sierra Sooty Grouse. Since retiring, Jim has become an avid wildlife photographer. Jim's research career is archived on his personal website, www.Jim-Bland.com, and recent samples of his wildlife photography can be viewed at www.facebook.com/blandwildlife