Expert-Led, Volunteer-Powered, Member-Sustained
Formed in 1983...
The Nature Sounds Society was formed in 1983 by Paul Matzner (pictured), curator of the California Library of Nature Sounds at the Oakland Museum of California and Marie Mans. Workshops have included the long running Annual Field Workshop in the Sierras, the Tech Talk, and Post-Production Workshop, which are all designed to accommodate beginners as well as more experienced sound recordists.
Projects have included long term baseline sound studies in Muir Woods to inform visitor impact mitigation; restoration sound studies at El Polin Spring in San Francisco and Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite; long term sound studies of the the giant sequoia groves in Yosemite and pre and post fire impact studies. The NSS has been involved with the FAA hearings and sound plans to manage the impact of overflights in the National Parks.
The Nature Sounds Society is a non-profit organization whose principal purpose is to encourage the preservation, appreciation and creative use of natural sounds. The Society promotes education in the technological, scientific and aesthetic aspects of natural sounds.
Through our Adopt-a-Park Program, the Society encourages its members to support national, state and local parks by volunteering their services for interpretive and research activities. We also educate and advocate for the protection of wild natural soundscapes.
Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Society members have made general and special- interest presentations to various organizations including the Audubon Society, Presidio Conservancy, the Exploratorium, the Berkeley Bird Festival, the Chico Snow Goose Festival, and the Lodi Crane Festival and the Audio Engineering Society. California Soundscapes, a presentation that includes surround sound recordings made in national parks throughout California, has been especially popular.
Our hope is to foster a deeper connection to nature that inspires audiences to become involved in preserving natural habitats and fighting climate change.
Our Board of Directors
Greg has been recording in nature since 2002. He was the 2017 Artist-in-Residence at Lassen Volcanic National Park which he has adopted as a recording site.
Sharon has been a member of the NSS since 1996. She has recorded in the national parks and has organized events for the NSS.
Dan has been a technical advisor to the NSS since 1988.. His recording projects are currently in Yosemite, the Presidio and Joshua Tree National Park.
Steve is a lifelong audio system design engineer, volunteer outdoor adventure guide and park docent, and part-time radio journalist.
Mark is a documentary filmmaker who is currently leading a soundscape mapping project in Point Reyes National Seashore as part of the Adopt-a-Park program.