Join the Camera Crew!
Help maintain a trail camera in Mt. Hood National Forest!
wolverine tracking project
wildlife camera surveys
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 April
Training: May/June and November
Camera surveys help document wildlife throughout Mt. Hood National Forest
Summer Season: May through October
Winter Season: November through April
Training: May/June and November
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Camera surveys are a low-impact way to unobtrusively collect information on the presence of wildlife in our forest. Cascadia Wild operates over sixteen 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!
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get involved
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Cameras are maintained entirely by volunteers.
This winter, Cascadia Wild will be maintaining 16 cameras on the Mt Hood National Forest and 5 cameras in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Cameras need to be visited every 3 or 4 weeks to keep them above the snow and make sure they are in working condition. Visiting a camera is usually a full-day trip. Equipment will need to be picked up from the Cascadia Wild office. At the camera, you will change out the batteries and memory card, refresh the bait, and collect any hair or scat samples. Afterward, you will return the equipment and photos you collected, and submit a data sheet. Cameras are at various sites all over the Mt Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Some cameras are close to a road, while others require a 10 mile hike into the wilderness area. Some require driving on dirt roads, others do not. You will be able to sign up for the camera location and dates that fit your hiking ability, preferences, and availability. You can sign up with friends, or by yourself and be paired with other volunteers. We require a minimum group size of 3 people on each camera visit. After attending the training, which will explain what to do on a camera visit, sign ups for camera trips will begin. |
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 (1980), and we continue to monitor for their return to the mountain.
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Camera Locations
Trail cameras are located based on where we expect to encounter target species. Specifically, we are interested in documenting Sierra Nevada red foxes, who are known to inhabit the higher elevations of Mt. Hood; gray wolves, who are known to inhabit the eastern forest; and wolverine, who may be dispersing through the area. We also consider areas where these animals may travel through or relocate. Getting around in winter can be difficult, and access for volunteers another important factor in determining camera locations as well.
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Camera Survey Areas Summer 2024
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training - winter 2024-25
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REQUIRED ONLINE TRAINING
Before attending the first camera check of the season, participants need to attend the online training session. The training will cover background information on the project and our target species, what to do on a camera check, and how to stay safe in the forest. protocols.
This trainings will be recorded for those who can't attend. |
OPTIONAL FIELD TRAININGS
We are also offering optional in-person field training to cover navigation practices, using a GPS, and camera site procedures, for those that would like the additional, hands-on training or refresher. Choose one date, each session will cover the same information. Field Trainings at Alberta Park in NE Portland (map)
Field Training at Mt Hood
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VOLUNTEER qualifications
Everyone is welcome to join the wildlife camera survey, however, you must meet the following qualifications.
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Winter Camera Crew Qualifications Each member of a Camera Crew must be able to:
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EQUIPMENT neededCascadia Wild will provide a Camera Kit with the camera-related gear you will need. You will need to pick up the Camera Kit from our office before heading out to visit your camera.
The kit contains: memory card, batteries, scent bait, disposable gloves, Genetic Sample Collection items (paper bags, tweezers, lighter, and envelopes, and a ruler), local maps of camera site, and instruction sheets. Cameras, and at some site hair snaggers or bait boxes, will already be installed in the forest. Other Required Equipment we can provide The following items are also required. These items can be checked out from Cascadia Wild on a first-request basis, subject to availability.
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You will need to provide:
Not sure what personal gear you need? See our packing list for some recommendations. 
A note on snowshoes:
Camera visits are generally done on snowshoes, since they give the ability to stop in one spot while servicing the camera, and are usually easier when traveling off-trail. If you have never been on snowshoes before, be aware that they use different muscles than you might be used to! Snowshoeing 2 miles is generally the equivalent of hiking 5-6 miles. |
WHAT IS THE DATA USED FOR?
The Wolverine Tracking Project collects data on four species of special concern in Oregon - wolverine, Sierra Nevada red fox, gray wolf, and Pacific marten. In addition, data is also collected on other carnivores and prey of the forest, from Douglas squirrel to elk to bobcats, bears, and every mammal or ground bird in between. Cameras offer a great way to collect information on a wide variety of species, telling the story of the forest. Data is shared with a variety of partners, including: Mt Hood National Forest Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Defenders of Wildlife.
Read more about our target species and data.
Read more about our target species and data.
A Pacific marten, one of our target species, bounds to inspect a bait tree
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This Sierra Nevada red fox 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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Our way of saying thank you:
All volunteers have the option to receive the Cascadia Wildlife Weekly Newsletter, which includes all the week's best wildlife photos and news - only 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.
All volunteers have the option to receive the Cascadia Wildlife Weekly Newsletter, which includes all the week's best wildlife photos and news - only 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.
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.
