Hear Where We Are ― Sound, Ecology, and Sense of Place

This book challenges bio-acoustic orthodoxies, reframing the entire inquiry as sound perception and communication. Moving beyond common assumptions, it reveals mysteries of acoustical behavior to offer a fresh panorama of acoustical experience and adaptation.

Michael Stocker is an acoustician, musician and naturalist who has been an active spokesperson about human generated ocean noise pollution 1992. He is a technical generalist with professional credentials in electronic design, communication systems, physics, and acoustics. He has worked with high profile projects and clients including Skywalker Ranch, the “cult” feature film Koyyanisqatsi, Monterrey Bay Aquarium, The US National Holocaust Museum, Electric Light Orchestra, Harry Nielson, and the premier bio-mimicry research firm Pax Scientific. He is also conversant in biology and mycology. His ability to convey complex scientific issues in clear terms to a non-scientific audience is one of his hallmarks and has proven instrumental in conveying the complex ideas of ocean bio-acoustics to a lay public as well as to policy makers. By way of this ability, he has written text on ocean noise policy that has been included in current and pending legislation at the state and federal level, including the California Ocean Action Plan, and Barbara Boxer's pending "National Ocean Protections Act." In 2006 he won the prestigious "Heart of Marin" award for "Excellence in Non-profit Board Leadership." Dr. Stocker is currently the Director of Ocean Conservation Research, seeking solutions to the growing problem of human-generated ocean noise pollution though science, technology, policy development, and public outreach.