The Wolverine Tracking Project
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WHAT IS THE WOLVERINE TRACKING PROJECT?
The Wolverine Tracking Project provides a space where trackers
of all skill levels can come together to strengthen their
skills, while helping steward the Mt Hood National Forest
by monitoring rare carnivores. Every winter, we lead trips
to the National Forest to teach participants how to read the
patterns left in the snow and discover which animals have
left their footprints behind. During each outing, trip leaders
mentor participants not only animal tracking, but a variety
of other naturalist skills and nature awareness routines.
Our goal is for each participant to feel more knowledgeable
about the region where they live, and to begin building a
personal connection to the land. We hope that this increased
knowledge and sense of place will lead everyone to develop
healthier relationships with the natural environment and with
their surrounding communities.
The Wolverine Tracking Project is also designed to carry
out long-term surveys to locate rare carnivores in the Mt.
Hood National Forest, focusing especially on wolverine. Monitoring
these animals is required of the U.S. Forest Service and is
important for making appropriate policy decisions. However,
because of limited resources, the Forest Service is having
difficulty meeting their monitoring goals, so partnering with
organizations such as Cascadia Wild is important to them.
As a Forest Service partner, Cascadia Wild helps ensure that
decisions regarding the public forest are made with accurate
information, while at the same time promoting people’s
interest and involvement with our public lands.
HOW IT WORKS
New participants attend a two-part training, in order ensure
that everyone has a solid background in animal tracking, knows
how to dress properly for the snow, and knows what to expect
when doing the surveys. Trainings take place in November and
December. The surveys to Mt Hood then take place December
through March, and participants may sign up for as many or
as few survey trips as they like. Surveys are done in groups
of up to 10 people, including two experienced trip leaders.
No experience is necessary; however you must be in good enough
physical condition to snowshoe up to 2 miles, or up to 1 mile
for designated family trips. Children are welcome on all trips,
however they must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
TRACKING CLASS
If you don't want to commit to being a part of the entire
project, training Sessions 1 may also be taken as a stand-alone
class for $40, and will provide you with very good introduction
to the art and science of animal tracking. Contact us at info@cascadiawild.org
to register for the class.
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