I have worked on wildlife conservation and educational projects around Montana. I use remote cameras, in tandem with genetic hair and scat sample methods and print tracking to accurately and non-invasively study hidden wildlife. The data from these methods is used to inform public lands management and other population research studies and requires significantly less resources than invasive or active observation.
One of the most rewarding has been helping to set up a multi-year winter carnivore monitoring effort called Wolverine Watchers.
We worked to detect wolverine, fisher and other species through a large citizen science group in the Bitteroot and Sapphire Mountains that had unknown species occupancy. I have guided many volunteers into the wilderness to set up monitoring stations and setup protocol and data processing for large numbers of incoming images and genetic samples.
Camera trap images and video create immense interest in revealing the hidden world of reclusive species and create enourmous public interest in protection. Our work found many species that were previosly unknown to inhabit the area. Including a handful of reproducing wolverines in a small area!
I look forward to helping with your wildlife conservation projects!