wildlife camera surveys:
wolverine tracking project
Who comes out to play while the humans are away?
Camera surveys help document wildlife throughout Mt Hood National Forest
Summer Season: May through October
Winter Season: November through May
Training: May/June and October/November
Camera surveys are a low-impact way to unobtrusively collect information on the presence of wildlife in our forest. Cascadia Wild operates over twenty wildlife cameras in the Mt Hood National Forest, all maintained by Cascadia Wild volunteers who are taking part in long-term data collection that will shape research and management decisions - true community science!
Read more about the Wolverine Tracking Project.
Camera surveys help document wildlife throughout Mt Hood National Forest
Summer Season: May through October
Winter Season: November through May
Training: May/June and October/November
Camera surveys are a low-impact way to unobtrusively collect information on the presence of wildlife in our forest. Cascadia Wild operates over twenty wildlife cameras in the Mt Hood National Forest, all maintained by Cascadia Wild volunteers who are taking part in long-term data collection that will shape research and management decisions - true community science!
Read more about the Wolverine Tracking Project.
goals
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Our camera surveys have three goals:
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structure
Cameras monitor wildlife year-round!
The Wolverine Tracking Project started to confirm rumors of the wolverine's return to Mt. Hood. This is the last known wolverine on Mt. Hood (1992), and we continue to monitor for their return to the mountain.
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Cameras are maintained entirely by volunteers. Each volunteer camera crew is responsible for one camera site, or group of 2-3 nearby camera sites, throughout the season. As part of a camera crew, you will check the camera site(s) every 3-5 weeks. In the summer season (May - October), this could be 4-6 trips - less if snow conditions prevent access to the site at the beginning or end of the season, or more if the site is lower elevation.
During your camera check, you will change out the batteries and memory card, refresh the bait, and collect any hair or scat samples. Checking a camera is usually a full-day trip. Some cameras are close to the road, others are a substantial hike in. You will be assigned to your camera site based on how far you wish to hike. For Summer 2021, we have modified the survey and reduced the group sizes to encourage a safe experience during the coronavirus pandemic. Each camera check requires a participating crew of at least 2 people, or a maximum of 8 people. Your overall camera crew can be larger than the people attending a given check, to better help coordinate and share the responsibilities. You may apply with friends or members of your household to be on the same camera crew. If you are applying on your own, we will pair you with another volunteer or group, for a maximum of two households on each camera crew. |
camera crew participants
We welcome anyone to join the wildlife camera survey! However, we do have some qualifications.
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Summer Camera Crew Qualifications Camera Crew must be able to:
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Volunteers check the settings of a trail camera
A photo of the breeding pair of the White River wolf pack, who are centered on the Warm Springs Reservation and along the eastern flank of Mt. Hood National Forest. We have been monitoring for gray wolves since they returned to the forest in 2017. Photo taken by Wolverine Tracking Project Camera Survey, 2018.
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All volunteers have the option to receive the Cascadia Wildlife Weekly Newsletter, which includes all the week's best wildlife photos and news - and have access to all of the season's camera photos - exclusive for volunteers and members!
Volunteers also have access to the data collected in one season, and are eligible to receive discounts on select Cascadia Wild classes, events, and programs.
Volunteers also have access to the data collected in one season, and are eligible to receive discounts on select Cascadia Wild classes, events, and programs.
EQUIPMENT required
In order to reduce the risks associated with COVID-19, volunteers will check out a camera kit for whole season, and we are asking the crews provide more equipment than required in previous seasons.
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Camera Crews must supply the following equipment:
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Cascadia Wild will provide the following equipment:
This Sierra Nevada red fox, also a target species, was one of the first foxes documented by Wolverine Tracking Project trail cameras, which confirmed their presence on Mt Hood. Camera Survey, Winter 2011-2012.
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LOCATIONS Summer 2021
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Locations of trail cameras are determined based on where we expect to encounter target species. Specifically, we are interested in documenting gray wolves, who are known to inhabit the eastern forest, and Sierra Nevada red foxes, who are known to inhabit the higher elevations of Mt. Hood. We also consider areas where these animals may travel through or relocate. This season, we will be focusing on 4 general areas: Hood River, Mt. Hood North, Mt. Hood East, and Mt. Hood Southeast.
We have approximately 20 trail cameras, most of which will be placed in the Mt. Hood North area. Camera crews will be selected to maintain a camera site depending on the general area prefered and/or their hiking preferences. |
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A Pacific marten, also a target species of the Wolverine Tracking Project, pauses momentarily at a camera site. Camera Survey, Summer 2018.
