Join the Camera Crew
Help maintain a trail camera in Mt. Hood National Forest!
Who comes out to play while the humans are away?
Camera surveys help document wildlife throughout Mt. Hood National Forest
Summer Season: May through November
Winter Season: November through April
Training: May/June and November
Camera surveys help document wildlife throughout Mt. Hood National Forest
Summer Season: May through November
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 twenty 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 18 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 scent lure, collect any hair or scat samples, and make sure the camera is positioned for the current snow depth. 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 trailhead, while others require up to a 6 mile snowshoe or a 10 mile hike into the wilderness area. Many require driving to a snopark near the mountain, and a couple even require driving on unplowed dirt roads. 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
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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.
Access in winter is also an important consideration, since much of the area is covered in snow. |
Camera Survey Areas Winter 2026-27
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volunteer traininG
Volunteers must attend two trainings: an online introductory training and an in-person training.
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ONLINE TRAINING
The online training will cover what the project is about, our target species, singing up for a camera visit, a brief overview of what to do on when visiting a camera, and how to stay safe in the forest. Online Training: Thursday, November 5, 6:30-8:30 pm This training will be recorded for those who can't attend. You must watch the recording before coming to the in-person training. |
IN-PERSON TRAINING
The in-person training will go into more depth about what to do on a camera trip, navigating off-trail to the camera, snowshoeing, and winter safety. Unless you have lots of experience working outdoors or extensive snowshoeing experience, this training is also required. Location: Leaven Community Center, 5432 NE 20th Ave (map) Choose one date, each session will cover the same information.
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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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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. |
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EQUIPMENT needed
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Cascadia 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 most sites bait boxes or hair snaggers, 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. 
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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.
