Volunteers Gain Hours Monitoring Wildlife Tracks and Sign this summer

Pathways volunteers have been racking up the hours in the field tracking animals, identifying their footprints, and recording what they find into a database.

Cottontail rabbit

 

“Citizen Scientists” gain experience in the field.

Since the workshop on March 28-29, we have had a good showing of volunteers each weekend to go out and practice tracking and monitoring skills. About 15 hours of learning have been accumulated so far, with people gaining confidence in track and sign identification, and becoming familiar with the data collection protocol. Once a clear animal track or scat has been identified and has group consensus as to its specie, we then photograph and GPS the animal’s sign, and measure the track’s width and length. Our data sheets are filled out, and all of this is then entered into our database at the end of the day.

Badger tracks. The hind track registered directly into the front track

 

First Tracker/Monitor Training Workshop a success

After two intense days of power point lectures, engaging stories and field trips to practice track and sign identification and data collection protocol, we came home to practice in our “teams” on our home turf.

Casey in action

[caption id="attachment_108" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Coyote tracks"][/caption]

 

Volunteers make it happen!

Pathways volunteers get the message out about wildlife corridors with a beautiful mosaic mural.

 

Pathways – Who we are:

PATHWAYS
Wildlife Corridors of New Mexico
Who we are:
We are the grass roots collective who has the vision to see that all animals who need to move between New Mexico’s mountains may do so freely and without harm. This in turn will, through our mission to recognize and protect our state’s vital wildlife corridors, maintain and improve the health of our New Mexico Mountains.

Our philosophy is: We take care of the wildlife, the wildlife takes care of the land, and from this we all benefit.

What we do:
Through community outreach and collaboration with other conservation organizations, we fulfill our misson of recognizing and protecting the health of wildlife corridors. We provide maps, information, and on the ground research by working with State, local, and Federal govts., as well as large and small landowners.

We belong:
To a community of individuals and organizations including: New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Earthworks Institute, Safe Passages Coalition, Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, Wildlands Project, New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors, Animal Protection of New Mexico, Sandia Bear Watch, Keystone Conservation, Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, Las Placitas Association, Mark Watson (State Game and Fish biologist), Wild Horse Observers Association (WHOA), Trust for Public Land, and Others.

Long term Goals and Commitments:
We are committed to protecting the last unobstructed wildlife corridor on Sandia mountain by supporting the USFS decision to close the NE corner of the Sandia Ranger District to motorized use.
We are embarking on a two year wildlife mural project along Hwy. 165 through Placitas which will involve community members, businesses, school children, and seniors to create a lasting, visible reminder of the wildlife connections we value.
We are commited to starting up a Citizen Scientist wildlife track and sign monitoring program which will provide scientifically valid data to local, state and federal governments.
To work with NMDOT and other agencies to construct a bridge over Las Huertas Cr. at I-25 to replace the existing culverts. This will allow safer passage of wildlife under the interstate along a vital wildlife corridor.

Achievements include:
Increasing the land base of wildlife corridors in protected status.
Producing maps and information describing the wildlife corridors between Sandia, Jemez and Sangre de Christo Mts. This raises public awareness and interest in protecting these vital connections.
Completion of three (of 7) mosaic mural panels, “Protect Our Wildlife Corridors”.
Providing a meeting place and schedule of regular monthly meetings.
Input to the U.S.F.S., B.L.M. and Sandoval County informing various land use decision making processes.
Data collection and documentation of wildlife corridor locations and uses. Organizing the Citizen Scientist wildlife monitoring program in this area.
Outreach to other communities to encourage an interest in forming additional wildlife corridor protection groups. (Pathways-Jemez and Galisteo Watershed Wildlife Corridor Group)

 

Pathways community mosaic mural project, “Protect Our Wildlife Corridors”

Black bears need to be able to move between the Sandia and Jemez Mts.

 

Wildlife Tracker/Monitor training workshop

wtw-flyerHere is the flyer for this workshop coming up in late March. The deadline for registration is Mar. 20th.

Wildlife Tracking&Monitoring Workshop
March 28-29 2009

with professional trackers:
Casey McFarland and Tanya Diamond

Wildlife Corridors of NM (Pathways & Galisteo) are seeking
“Grassroots Naturalists” to help us track and monitor mammals
and other wildlife in the Galisteo to Placitas area.

What: An intensive 2 day workshop for volunteers interested in
tracking/monitoring 6 key species and reporting results for a minimum
of one year to Wildlife Corridors of NM. This data is for use in
County and State plans that “sustain viable and resilent populations”
of wildlife.

How: Volunteers conduct “track surveys” and record data.
Volunteers walk specific transects or monitor locations monthly, re
cording tracks with photos, GPS, and written observations.
Area wildlife professionals join volunteer teams to refine tracking
techniques and wildlife sign recognition.
Volunteers learn where to look for signs and about the ecology and
behavior of local species.

Where: Workshop location is the Arroyo Hondo Fire Station #2, Old Las
Vegas Highway. Directions: take I-25 to Old Pecos Trail Exit, turn north toward
Santa Fe, then right at first light (Old Las Vegas Highway). Take
OLVH east for 6.1 miles. You will see the large new firehouse on your right
just past the turn for US 285 south.

Workshop Times: Sat. and Sun. March 28-29 , 8am to 5pm
Classroom instruction will be held at the Fire Station and trips into the field
will convene there and be led to various locations nearby.

Cost: Workshop fee: $100 which includes two days of training, all materi
als and equipment, and snacks.

Wildlife Tracking Workshop Application Deadline is
Mar. 20th, 2009

Please request an application from the Workshop Coordinator at:
Peter Callen 4winged@gmail.com

 

Wildlife Tracking

Casey McFarland, a Professional Wildlife Tracker,  is currently working with us to set up some regular trail lines to walk (called “transects”) which can be used to gather data on how many, and what kind of animals are crossing a given area.  Once we have enough people trained in basic track and sign identification, we can then train volunteers to walk these transects and collect data on a regular basis.  This is being done in Southern AZ, see the Sky Island Alliance Home .

Casey McFarland, Professional Wildlife Tracker

A group from Pathways with Casey McFarland, professional wildlife tracker.  (Casey is in the back at left)

Packrat Tracks

Casey examining fine detail of packrat tracks.

Bobcat vs Coyote Tracks

Casey pointing out differences between coyote and bobcat tracks in the dried mud of the Ojito Wilderness.

 

Here is a form you can use to record your own wildlife sightings:a-data-sheet-21

 

Spring

Spring

One of the many springs along the edge of the Forest.  (Winter ‘07)

 

Las Huertas Creek

Las Huertas Creek

Subdivision of land for single family residences alternate with open space (for now) along Las Huertas creek.  This photo shows the connection to the Forest land in the background.