BA, Sonoma State University (Environmental Studies: Conservation and Restoration)

Steven is a lifelong resident of Sonoma County. He grew up on a small farm in northwest Santa Rosa and has always felt a strong connection to the land. In 2010, he was introduced to Pepperwood through classes at the Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), which sparked his interest in the preserve. He quickly became a volunteer at Pepperwood. After completing the California Naturalist classes at the SRJC, he became a Pepperwood Steward and started working on the wildlife camera array project.

Steven graduated from SRJC and later from Sonoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental studies with a minor in biology. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and mountain biking. At home, he loves spending time with his dog, Rhett, and his cat, Earle.

List of Publications

Bode, C., Micheli, L., Smith, J. S., Ferrel, R., Flynn, K., Gray, M., … & Hammerich, S. (2023). B23F-2143 Dendra Remote Animal ID: Scaling Up Biodiversity Monitoring via in situ animal identification (Camera and Acoustic) using Machine Learning on industrial Edge computing hardware with low power global satellite uplink (SWARM). Authorea Preprints.

Townsend, S., S. Hammerich, and M. Halbur. 2020. Wildlife occupancy and trail use before and after a park opens to the public. California Fish and Wildlife, Recreation Special Issue, 74-94.

Cove, M., et al. 2020. SNAPSHOT USA 2019: the first coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States. Ecology.

Comendant, T., R. Ferrell, M. Halbur, M. Gray, S. Hammerich, and L. Micheli. 2019. A climate ecosystem sentinel site, Pepperwood Preserve, Sonoma County, CA. A technical report prepared by the Dwight Center for Conservation Science at Pepperwood, Santa Rosa, CA, for the National Science Foundation, Field Stations and Marine Labs Grant #1624447.

Hammerich, S., M. Halbur, L. Micheli, T. Comendant, and S. Townsend. 2018. Benefits and lessons learned by engaging citizen scientists in camera trapping and monitoring. The Wildlife Society’s 25th Annual Conference, Cleveland, OH, October 2018.

Townsend, S.T., S. Hammerich, M. Halbur, and L. Micheli. 2016. Wildlife abundance and trail use: North Slope Sonoma Mountain Study. Dwight Center for Conservation Science at Pepperwood, Santa Rosa, CA, for the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.

Hammerich, S., T. Comendant, M. Walla-Murphy, S. Martinelli, M. Gray. 2022. Use of Non-invasive Black Bear Monitoring to Inspire Human-Bear Coexistence in Sonoma County, CA. The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 69th Annual Meeting, Reno, NV, February 2022.