Sherry Schmidt

Sherry grew up in Southern California, hiking the hills that would eventually become part of Chino Hills State Park. Her interest in ecology was strongly influenced by naturalist and educator Allan Schoenherr during a Natural History of the Sierra Nevada course at Fullerton College—a course that included a monthlong backpacking journey through the Sierra Nevada studying its plants, animals, and geology.

Schmidt earned a B.A. from the University of Montana and an M.A. from California State University, Fullerton. She taught biology for 34 years at Mt. San Antonio College, where she developed courses in Natural History of California and Conservation Biology and is now Professor Emerita. Her field-based teaching included extended trips to the Eastern Sierra Nevada, introducing students to alpine ecology, glacial geology, and mountain natural history.

Schmidt is also a conservation photographer whose work reflects her lifelong interests in desert and mountain ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation. Upon her retirement, Mt. San Antonio College dedicated the Sherry Schmidt Gallery in its science building, featuring photographs she has taken on all seven continents accompanied by interpretive text.

With A Natural History of Chino Hills State Park, Schmidt brings that lifetime of teaching, observation, photography, and exploration home to the hills she has known since childhood.