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

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

Training: May 19, 6:30-8:30pm, online; plus in-person either May 30 or June 7,1:00-5:00pm

Camera checks occur: May through mid November

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 equiment and fill out a trip report. ​

Cameras are at various locations; some close to a road, others a 10 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 hike up to 1/2 mile and be comfortable traveling off-trail for short distances.​
• Be comfortable working in various outdoor conditions for up to four hours, which can include rain and inclement weather; cold/hot temperatures; standing in one place for long periods of time setting a camera; some uphill hiking
• 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
• 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.