Cascadia Wild

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  • Home
  • About
    • Equity Statement
    • Land Acknowledgment
    • Board of Directors
    • Supporters
    • Annual Report
  • Wolverine Tracking Project
    • About our target species
    • Camera Surveys
    • Winter Tracking >
      • Winter Tracking Surveys
      • Tracking Apprenticeship
      • Be a Tracking Leader
    • Fox Scat Surveys
    • Wolf Survey
    • Sponsor A Trail Camera
    • Internship
    • WTP Findings
  • Classes
    • Naturalist Training Program
    • Tracking Classes
    • Botany Classes
    • Outdoor Survival Skills Classes
    • Team Building
  • Get Involved
    • Calendar
    • Community Clubs
    • Volunteer
    • Join the Board
    • Contact Us
    • Join our Mailing List
  • Donate
  • Blog
  • Shop

Join the Tracking Team!

search for tracks and sign of wildlife in the Mt. Hood snow!

Winter Tracking Surveys

Most wild animals are difficult to observe, even though they are all around us. By interpreting the footprints and other signs wildlife leave behind, tracking provides a way to unravel their mystery. Tracking can tell us not only about the presence of animals, but can also give a wealth of knowledge about how they are using and interacting with an environment.
​Volunteers with the Winter Tracking Surveys are taking part in long-term data collection in the Mt Hood National Forest that will shape research and management decisions - true community science! 

​Read more about the Wolverine Tracking Project.
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Measuring coyote tracks

Group Tracking surveys

​No previous experience necessary! These surveys provide a place for new and experienced trackers alike. Even if you are new to tracking, your observations are valuable, providing more eyes and brain-power to help find tracks.

Surveys are conducted on snowshoes. Snowshoes are the most versatile way to get around on snow. If you don't own snowshoes, Cascadia Wild has some you can borrow for your trip.

​
Group Tracking Surveys are done in teams of 2-10 Trackers led by 1-2 experienced volunteer Tracking Leaders. Tracking in a group allows for a better survey - the more eyes on the ground and the more hands to help document tracks improves the data quality and our knowledge of local wildlife.

​Group Tracking Surveys also provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience tracking, where you can learn from leaders, apprentices, and each other all winter long! 

Most survey trips are day-long trips that start on the mountain around 9:00am and end by 4:00pm. There is usually one overnight camping trip as well.

Survey trips usually travel along one of our twelve tracking transects (see map below). Transects are 1 mile long, allowing for a comfortable pace, with plenty of time to stop and look at tracks.

​Survey trip dates are scheduled ahead of time
. You may come out as often as you like, however, we ask that you help out on at least two trips during the season. A link to sign up for trips will be given at the training.
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A group survey inspects hare tracks
Tracking is a skill you can spend your whole lifetime learning and still not know everything. We want to be able to share this ancient art with you, to help you down that long road of knowledge that encompasses knowledge of animal behavior, awareness, ecology, and more. The more you study tracking, the more you realize that everything, in fact, leaves a track of some sort. ​

PARTICIPANT QUALIFICATIONS

Tracking Volunteer Qualifications:
​
​Everyone is welcome to join,
however, you must meet the following qualifications:
​
  • ​Be able to snowshoe up to 2 miles. This is the equivalent to hiking around 5 miles. If you have never  been on snowshoes before, be aware that it uses different muscles than you might be used to! 
  • Be comfortable in outdoor winter conditions for up to 6 hours, which can involve: snow, rain and/or other inclement weather; icy surfaces or deep snow; standing in one place for long periods of time to inspect tracks; and some uphill snowshoeing.
  • Provide own transportation (carpools with other volunteers may be available on some trips). Drivers must be comfortable driving in winter conditions, and highway regulations may require you to carry tire chains.
  • Provide all required gear and equipment (see below)
  • Accurately follow survey protocol
  • Attend the online training or watch the recording
  • Commit to at least 2 surveys in the season
 
​*Children under 18 years of age are welcome as long as they can meet the physical requirements and are accompanied by a Parent/Guardian.

Equipment  required

  • *Snowshoes
  • *Sno Park permit (most sites)
  • *Personal safety gear​​
  • Personal gear such as boots, clothing, food and water

​Items marked with an *asterisk can be borrowed from Cascadia Wild. Equipment is reserved on a first-come basis and is subject to availability. ​
Not sure what personal gear to bring? See our packing list for some recommendations! ​
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Trackers can borrow snowshoes from Cascadia Wild.

​Driving and carpools

​Although survey trips officially meet at the survey location on Mt Hood, we do our best to organize carpools for those interested. If you don't have a vehicle, we still encourage you to join, just be aware that your ability to come on a survey trip will depend on the other volunteers in the group and may not work out every time. 

 Survey TRIP dates

Group Survey Trips happen most weekends from December through March. Depending on snow conditions, surveys may end mid March or may extend into April. 

Most survey trips are on Saturdays and Sundays, and there are usually 2-3 weekday trip as well. Most survey trips are day-long trips, starting the mountain around 9:00am and ending by 4:00pm. There is usually one overnight snow camping trip as well.

Survey trip dates will be determined in October or November.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are last year's dates:

​
2024-5 dates:​
  • December: Sat 7, Tue 17, Sat 21
  • January: Sat 4, Sun 12, Sat 18, Thu 23
  • February: Sat 1,Sun 9, Sat 15, Wed 19
  • March: Sat 1, Sat 8, Mon 17, Sat 22, Sun 30
  • more trips may be added as season progresses

Information on signing up for trips will be given at the training.
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Training , winter 2024-25

VOLUNTEER TRAINING
​

Before attending a survey, participants need to attend the online training. This training covers
 survey goals and protocols, plus an introduction to our target species and their tracks. If you are not able to attend the training, it will be recorded and you will need to watch the recording prior to helping on a survey.

  • Thu, November 7, 6:30-7:30 pm

​This training is online, and will be recorded for those who can't attend.​
INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE TRACKING COURSE

In addition to the Volunteer Training, trackers are very highly encouraged to attend the Introduction to Wildlife Tracking course, which teaches how to identify the tracks and trail patterns of the animals we expect to see during the surveys. This class is suitable for experienced trackers as well, as it will cover a lot of information specific to tracking in snow around Mt Hood. 

​The class is offered as a sliding scale - pay what you can ($65 recommended) - no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Introduction to Wildlife Tracking
Online class: Thu, November 14, 6:30-8:30 pm

This class will be recorded for those unable to attend.

An optional in-person Field Training will also be offered to provide additional instruction on identifying tracks and trail patterns in real life. If you are new to tracking, this hands-on training will especially be very helpful. It will be held along the Sandy River floodplain in Oxbow Park. There is no additional charge for the field session, however, there is a $5 entry fee to Oxbow Park. There are three sessions to choose from. ​

Introduction to Wildlife Tracking - Optional field class (choose one date):
  • Sun, November 17, 10:00 am-12:00 pm (noon)
  • Sat, November 23, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Sun, December 1, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

survey locations

Tracking surveys are done along predetermined routes, called transects, which were chosen to cover all habitat types within the snow zone on Mt Hood. Transects generally follow trails or closed roads and are 1 mile long.
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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.

Tracking Apprenticeship

The Tracking Surveys depend on knowledgeable trackers, and we would love to teach you these skills!

The Tracking Apprenticeship is for people looking to develop their tracking and leadership skills. Apprentices help on survey trips and receive one-on-one support and instruction. 
​
Tracking Apprentices have:
  • an eagerness to learn
  • a solid foundational knowledge in interpreting the track and sign of Mt. Hood National Forest wildlife,
  • outdoor experience in a winter environment, and
  • a passion for sharing this knowledge with others.

Learn more about the Tracking Apprenticeship!
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Looking at the fine details of tracks in the snow.

Self-organized Tracking surveys

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Trackers follow a ridge as they search for tracks
For Experienced Trackers 

Want to go out with your friends and do a Tracking Survey? ​Experienced trackers are encouraged to conduct Self-Organized Tracking Surveys, going out to explore the snowy trails on their own schedule.

To carry out an Self-Organized Survey, we ask that you first have:
  • ​Attended the volunteer training and participated in at least 1 group tracking survey.
  • The ability to accurately identify and document tracks and sign encountered.
  • Experience navigating using a GPS or mapping application, paper maps, and a compass
  • Experience and confidence snowshoeing on the mountain in winter conditions

For data sheets, transect routes, and more information, please contact us. 

REady to start tracking?

Register by November 7
please check back next winter!
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Looking at Mt Hood from Surveyor's Ridge. Photo by Käthe Steck
Thank you to everyone who joined the ​Winter 2022-23 Tracking Team!
If you'd like to receive a notice when we open registration for the next season, sign up for the WTP Mailing List. 
Survey trip dates will be determined in October or November.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are last year's dates:
Register for Tracking Class

VOLUNTEERS

Camera Crew
Tracking Team
Fox Team
Wolf Team
​5431 NE 20th Ave Portland OR 97211
[email protected]
503-235-9533
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