About the Wolverine Tracking Project

The Wolverine Tracking Project was started by a group of local Portland trackers, who wanted to put their skills to use searching for evidence of rare carnivores on the Mt Hood National Forest. It has evolved into a valuable partnership between Cascadia Wild and the Mt Hood National Forest, in which trained volunteers help monitor the forest for rare species in order to help ensure their proper management, while at the same time increasing their own knowledge, building community, and having fun.

How the project works

During the winter, trained volunteers lead survey trips to Mt Hood. Trips are done on snowshoes in groups of up to 10 people. Survey trips have two goals - to record data on animal species seen and to teach participants animal tracking and other naturalist skills.

First time participants must attend the two part training, and then can help out on as many survey trips as they like.  Trainings take place October through early December. Then survey trips occur mid December through the end of March.

There is one low cost of $50 for the entire season.

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Who may come

Everyone is welcome to participate, no experience is necessary. However, you must be in good enough physical condition to snowshoe up to 2 miles for regular trips.  This is the equivalent of hiking around 5 miles. If you have never  been on snowshoes before, be aware that it uses different muscles than you might be used to!

Families are encouraged to participate.  We have trips specifically geared toward families with small children. All children must be accompanied by a  responsible adult.

Trip leader training program

Our volunteer trip leaders are the backbone of this project. If you wish to develop in-depth animal tracking skills, we can provide this training. In exchange, we ask that you volunteer your time to lead a couple trips each season when you are ready.  Read more.

Wildlife cameras

Camera surveys are also done to supplement the data collected from the tracking surveys. We have five wildlife cameras that are placed in various places in the forest likely to contain the target animals. Scent lure and bait are placed near the cameras to attract wildlife to be photographed.  Camera surveys are done by trip leaders and intensive study participants.

Goals of the project

During each outing, trip leaders teach  participants not only animal tracking, but a variety of other naturalist skills, including wilderness survival and ancient nature awareness routines. Modern conservation issues, of course, also receive attention. New participants get a chance to learn, returning participants get to further their skills, while trip leaders get a chance to share and give back to the community. Our aim is to increase not only participants' knowledge, but also their feelings of belonging to their local area and their appreciation of how we, as humans, are connected to nature. We hope to instill a sense of place that will lead participants to develop  healthier relationships with the natural environment and with their community.

In addition to mentoring, each trip is also designed to carry out long term surveys to locate rare carnivores in the Mt Hood National Forest. We are looking especially for signs of wolverine, wolf, fisher, and marten. Knowing the status of these animals is important for making appropriate policy decisions. The US Forest Service, however, is unable to do adequately monitor these animals due to limited resources. The data we collect is used by the Mt Hood National Forest and by other interested parties.

Read more about the goals and survey objectives.

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Wolverine Tracking Project Home

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