Winter Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project training Dec. 12

Winter Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project training Dec. 12

Conservation Northwest / Oct 20, 2015 / Wildlife Monitoring

Bobcat in the North Cascades. Photo: CWMP

Fall is here and it’s time to prepare for our sixth season of winter wildlife monitoring field work at Snoqualmie Pass. 

Winter Volunteer Training in Duvall

A free training on Sunday December 12 for volunteers working for the project this winter provides new and experienced volunteers with the tools they will need to carry out snow tracking surveys with the Cascades Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project.

RSVP required! Please note that because of the high interest in this program, not all new volunteers can be accommodated. Excess volunteers will be placed on a wait list.

New volunteers must be confirmed by our staff for participation in the 2015-16 winter monitoring season, and they must attend the December 12 training. Returning volunteers are encouraged to attend the December 12 training.

  • Volunteers will receive an introduction to track and sign identification taught by Dave Moskowitz from Wilderness Awareness School and seasoned project volunteers with a focus on snow tracking, target species for the project, and training in survey field methods.
  • Returning volunteers will review survey methods, equipment, logistics and safety, enhance the skills of participants in track and sign identification of target species, and enroll volunteers in tracking teams.

We will have six transects this year and ten teams. Volunteers are asked to commit to three to four days of field work over the course of the winter, early January to mid-March. Specific dates vary and are flexible depending on the team you sign up for at the training.

This Cascades-specific monitoring program is part of Conservation Northwest’s Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project. 

Winter Cascades Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project training details:
THE TRAINING IS AT THE SCHOOL’S LAND, NOT THE WILDERNESS AWARENESS SCHOOL OFFICE
  • To Sign Up: Email CWMP (aleah (at) conservationnw.org) to RSVP and indicate whether you would be a new or returning volunteer to the project. Email subject line should read: 2015-2016 Winter Tracking Registration.

Volunteers will need to bring a lunch, notebook, writing utensil, weather appropriate clothing, track and sign field guides, digital camera (optional), GPS unit (optional), tape measure, 6-12 inch ruler.

New leadership for the Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project

As you may have heard, Alison Huyett, formerly our Conservation Associate and Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project manager, has left Conservation Northwest for a great new position at Patagonia in Ventura, California. Congrats Alison!

Aleah Jaeger will be taking over Alison’s role as our new Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project Coordinator. Aleah can be reached at aleah (at) conservationnw.org or 206-675-9747 Ext. 201. Aleah previously interned with Conservation Northwest and recently supported our work as a contractor for the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition. Welcome Aleah!

David Moskowitz will remain on contract with Conservation Northwest as the technical lead for the Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project. David also works for Wilderness Awareness School in addition to being a wildlife tracker, photographer and author.

Volunteers needed to check wildlife camera in Sequim

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is asking for our help to find a regular volunteer who can check wildlife monitoring cameras at a culvert under Highway 101 near Sequim. The volunteer would need to check the site once a month to swap batteries and memory cards.

If you live in on the Olympic Peninsula and are interested in supporting this effort, please contact aleah (at) conservationnw.org. Aleah will connect you with the proper contact at WSDOT.