About
Join a Trail Camera Crew and Help Document Wildlife of Mt Hood National Forest!
Training: May 29, 6:30-8:30pm, online
Camera checks occur May to October 2024
The wildlife camera survey is part of the Wolverine Tracking Project, a long-term community science project studying rare carnivores and other wildlife in Mt Hood National Forest.
- Help search for wolverine and wolves, study the distribution of rare montane red fox, and document other resident carnivores and wildlife.
- Gain field-based research experience
- Learn about and help protect our native wildlife
Cameras are maintained entirely by volunteers. Volunteers must commit to checking a camera at least two times during the summer survey season, May through October.
Checking a camera is usually a full-day trip. Equipment is picked up from the Cascadia Wild office in NE Portland and returned after your trip. During your camera check, you will change out the batteries and memory card, refresh the bait, and collect any hair or scat samples. Afterward, you will submit the photos, data sheets, and return any equipment that was checked out for the day.
Cameras are at various sites on the Mt Hood National Forest; some close to a road, others a 10 mile hike into the wilderness area. After attending the training, you will 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.
Qualifications and Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Reliable and have time to visit the camera at least two times during the summer season
- Transportation to Mt Hood National Forest
- Comfortable working outdoors in various conditions
- Able to hike up to 1/2 mile and be comfortable traveling off-trail for short distances
- Able to use a GPS to navigate (we offer optional GPS training)
*Volunteers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian
For more information and to register: www.cascadiawild.org/wildlife-camera-surveys.html
Training
An online training is required: Tue, November 7, 6:30-8:30 pm. The training will be recorded for those unable to attend.
There is also an optional field training for those people who would like to practice navigation skills or get more hands-on instruction with the cameras. There are three sessions to choose from: November 11, 2:00-4:00 pm, at Alberta Park; November 19, 2:00-4:00 pm, at Alberta Park, and December 2, 10:00am-3:00pm, at Mt Hood.