Help Maintain a Wildlife Camera and Document Rare Carnivores of Mt Hood this Winter! 

Help Maintain a Wildlife Camera and Document Rare Carnivores on Mt Hood National Forest!

Training: November 5, 6:30-8:30pm, online; plus in-person either November 8 or November 21, 1:00-5:00pm

Camera checks occur: mid November through the end of April

The wildlife camera surveys are part of Cascadia Wild's Wolverine Tracking Project, a long-term community science project studying rare carnivores on the Mt Hood National Forest. The project helps determine the distribution of rare montane red fox, documents the return of wolves to our area, searches for evidence of wolverine, and documents other resident carnivores and wildlife to add to long term databases.

Volunteering is a great chance to gain field-based research experience, plus a chance to learn about and help protect our native wildlife!

Cameras are maintained entirely by volunteers. Cameras are at various sites on the Mt Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, and need to be visited once a month by volunteers to replace batteries, replenish scent lure, collect any hair or scat samples, and make sure the site is still operational. As a volunteer, you will sign up for which days and which cameras you wish to visit. Checking a camera is usually a full-day trip. Before your trip, you will need to pick up equipment from the Cascadia Wild office in NE Portland, and afterwards, return equipment and fill out a trip report. ​

Cameras are at various locations and most require snowshoeing to get to the camera site. Some cameras are close to a highway, others require driving on primitive roads; some area an easy quarter mile snowshoe from the trailhead, others require a 5 mile snowshoe or 6 mile hike into a wilderness area. Most require some off-trail hiking. As a volunteer, you will sign up for the locations and dates that fit your hiking ability, driving 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 2-3 people on each camera visit.

Qualifications:

• Reliable and have time to visit the camera at least 2 times during the summer survey season
• Be able to snowshoe up to 1/2 mile and be comfortable traveling off-trail for short distances.​
• Be comfortable working outside in winter conditions for up to 4 hours, which can include: snow, rain, and/or other inclement weather; cold temperatures; icy surfaces; standing in one place for long periods of time; some uphill snowshoeing.
• Be able to navigate off-trail using a mapping application, GPS, or map and compass, or the ability to learn (we can provide training)
• Provide transportation to and from the camera location (Note: highway regulations may require you to carry chains).
• Be able to follow survey protocols thoroughly and accurately
• Provide personal hiking and safety gear
• Properly maintain and store borrowed Cascadia Wild equipment​
• Attend the in-person 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

These surveys are part of Cascadia Wild's Wolverine Tracking Project.