Queer Trans Wildlife Tracking Workshop

Most animals are hard to observe directly, so instead, we learn about their presence through the tracks and signs they leave behind. Tracking teaches us how to pay attention to our surroundings and to recognize signs of past events that are everywhere on the landscape - ultimately teaching us how everything on earth is interconnected.
 Queer/Trans Wildlife Tracking Workshop

 May 30, 2026, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Introductory workshop to learn the basics of wildlife tracking in a safer outdoor space for anyone 18 and older in the LGBTQIA2+ communities.  Joe, Kimber, and Eva will guide us for a one-day experience cultivating our curiosity about the lives of wild animals through learning about the tracks and other sign they leave as they go about their daily lives.  Both group and solo learning time will encourage us to engage our senses, bodies, and minds. 

We will spend the day outdoors standing still to observe and discuss, and walking slowly on gently-sloped sandy, rocky, or muddy ground and off-trail amongst bushes and trees.  Single-stall vault toilet available. Please write to [email protected] with questions about accessibility.  See registration form regarding carpool options from Portland and Hood River.  After registration you will get an email with suggestions about how to dress for comfort and what to bring.

Location: Oxbow Regional Park. (Gresham, OR). $5.00 per car daily parking pass.
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Sliding scale $40-175.  Free tuition option for QTBIPOC 

MEET THE TEAM

Joe Mckernan (They / Them) - Instructor
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Joe is a lifelong scat sniffer, poke it with a sticker, curious bean who has been facilitating and leading outdoor learning as a social worker for over 12 years. They love finding tracks that tell stories, and letting those tales expand our world view and internalized narratives! Joe leads tracking surveys with Cascadia Wild, holds a level 3 Track & Sign certification, and hosts SCAT Club, a tracking club for the East side of the Cascades.

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Kimber Nelson (he/him) - Instructor
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Kimber adores wildlife tracking as a way to non-intrusively understand and make space for wild creatures.  Tracking is essential to how Kimber connects with his own animal nature, and weathers the challenges our human society creates for queer and trans people.  He has volunteered with Cascadia Wild for 12 years in all their programs, and particularly enjoys mentoring trackers at Tracking Club, Wolverine Tracking Project winter surveys, and summer Wolf Surveys.  Kimber holds Professional Track & Sign, and Level 3 Trailing, certifications through Tracker Certification North America.

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Eva Osirus (She/they) - OUTREACH LEAD

Eva loves spending time in nature, building community, and connecting with the wisdom of the land. She has been working on community building projects facing BIPOC and queer communities for over 8 years. Leaning into the power of storytelling, circles, and nonviolent communication to build impactful relationships. Eva leads the development and outreach efforts at Cascadia Wild and has been slowly expanding the diversity of its community. She also works closely with youth facing organizations to implement Restorative practices and support BIPOC youth. 

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