Be a Tracking Leader
with the Wolverine Tracking Project
Winter Tracking Surveys

The Tracking Leader is the keystone of the Wolverine Tracking Project’s Group Winter Tracking Surveys.
Tracking Leaders not only share their knowledge and skills with others, but in so doing develop their knowledge base and skill sets even further.
Tracking Leaders have proven themselves to be exceptional in the following areas: 
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  • Tracking: Tracking Leaders possess excellent knowledge of the wildlife of Mt Hood National Forest and the identification and interpretation of their track and sign. 

  • Leadership: Tracking Leaders help Trackers along their own tracking journeys, while ensuring surveys are carried out accurately and safely. Tracking Leaders are enthusiastic about Cascadia Wild’s mission: to inspire a personal connection to community and the natural world. 

Tracking Leadership Role

The Tracking Leader closely follows tracking survey protocols and is responsible for clear and accurate collection of wildlife data. Tracking Leaders share their enthusiasm and knowledge with Trackers and  mentor Tracking Apprentices. The Tracking Leader is also responsible for helping plan each Tracking Survey and ensuring the safety and engagement of participating Trackers. As a member of the Cascadia Wild Leadership Team, Tracking Leaders are integral in sharing and supporting Cascadia Wild’s vision and mission. 

Benefits

Mentorship.
If you are becoming a Tracking Leader through the Tracking Apprenticeship program, the mentorship that you received will continue as you become confident in your new role. New Tracking Leaders will be paired with more experienced Tracking Leaders as they start out, to ensure a strong foundation in your leadership. For experienced Tracking Leaders, mentorship offers the opportunity to hone your tracking and leadership with another skilled tracker.

Giving back to the community.
Tracking Leaders help connect the community to the natural world, providing opportunities for stewardship and involvement in our local forest while increasing others' awareness of the world around them and their place in it.
Contribution to wildlife research.
Tracking Leaders not only facilitate the collection of data on the wildlife of Mt. Hood National Forest, they also ensure that the data collected are credible and reliable. Researchers and wildlife managers rely on the data, and the expertise of Tracking Leaders, to help inform management decisions.

Being part of a great team.
Tracking Leaders have a great wealth of knowledge and passion for tracking - and like to have fun, too! This is a great group of people to learn from, go tracking with, support on surveys, and be on a team with. Tracking Leaders also get to spend time with Tracking Apprentices and Trackers, sharing in and building a community of enthusiastic trackers.

​Free classes.
We encourage Tracking Leaders to actively continue building their skills as they grow into their leadership role and throughout their leadership. We offer Tracking Leaders select Cascadia Wild classes at no cost. We also strongly encourage Tracking Leaders to participate in a CyberTracker Track and Sign Evaluation to both develop their skills and receive certification.

Becoming a tracking Leader

The most common path to Tracking Leadership starts with at least one season of Group Tracking Surveys, followed by at least one season of Tracking Apprenticeship. When both the Tracker and the Leadership Team feel confident in their skills, and if the Tracker meets the Tracking Leader qualifications listed below, the Tracker has the opportunity to take the Tracking Leader Evaluation. The evaluation consists of a written and a field exam and provides valuable feedback on the strengths of the Tracker's tracking and leadership skills and areas for improvement. The evaluation also provides an objective assessment of tracking ability, which verifies that the data our Tracking Leaders collect is accurate and reliable.
The path to Tracking Leadership may look different for each person, depending on their skill sets and availability for commitment. Some Trackers may be able to move through the Group Tracking Surveys and the Apprenticeship to successful completion of the Tracking Leader Evaluation in two seasons. Others may need more time to develop their skills. On the other hand, those with exceptional tracking skills may be able to directly apply for Tracking Leadership, after participating in Group Tracking Surveys. 

For all levels of experience, we encourage you to participate not only in the Tracking Surveys but in our Tracking Classes and Tracking Club, or with other organizations to cultivate your tracking skills, prior to and throughout your leadership.
If you are interested in becoming a Tracking Leader, let us know. We can discuss your skills, goals, and the different paths you can take to help you grow into the leadership role. 

Tracking leader Qualifications

  • Participation in Winter Group Tracking Surveys for at least one season

  • Successful completion of the Tracking Leader Evaluation

  • Strong tracking skills and the ability to accurately identify and interpret the tracks and sign of Mt. Hood National Forest wildlife 

  • Demonstration of excellent communication, responsibility, and ability to represent the values of Cascadia Wild

  • Ability to thoroughly follow survey procedure and protocol

  • Able to follow safe winter travel practices, including navigation, driving, hiking, and recognizing and avoiding hazards

  • Willingness and enthusiasm to mentor Tracking Apprentices and share your skills and knowledge with Trackers

  • Competent in performing the described role of the Tracking Leader
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  • Able to commit to at least two seasons as a Tracking Leader and to lead at least three surveys each season
Are you interested in the Tracking Leadership but you... 

Senior Tracking Leadership

Senior Tracking Leaders are looked up to and relied upon to provide exceptional mentorship, tracking knowledge, and leadership. In addition to the roles of a Tracking Leader, they have the opportunity to assist with the development and improvement of the Winter Tracking Surveys, including redefining and establishing protocols and procedures. 

Senior tracking Leader Qualifications

​Tracking Leaders who have been leading for at least two seasons and have proven excellent tracking skills have the opportunity to become Senior Tracking Leaders.
  • Completion of at least two seasons as a Tracking Leader

  • CyberTracker Track and Sign Certification: Level 3 or higher

  • Demonstrated dedication to the Winter Tracking Surveys and the values of Cascadia Wild

  • Exemplary in the Tracking Leader role and exceeds all Tracking Leader Qualifications
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us.