elevation sites, bolstering the case for continued focus on lower elevation monitoring
during the winter months, with a focus on potential predator/prey hotspots for wolves
and ungulate interaction.
Both the Chiwaukum and Snow Lake monitoring sites recorded multiple site visits of
American marten, adding additional documentation to ongoing professional research
of presence of marten in the Cascades north of Interstate 90.
This season marked a return to winter citizen monitoring in northeast Washington,
where we piloted a new protocol for lynx including the use of rub pads to collect hair
samples. The lack of detection of wildlife in the Wedge was surprising, but allowed us
to experiment with run pole stations and access in this location for future monitoring.
Although lynx were not detected at our Sherman Pass site, there was value in piloting
this protocol with volunteers and new project advisors to guide future monitoring
expansion.
Citizen Science
With this season we have seven years of successful use of trained citizen wildlife
monitors carrying out snow tracking surveys in the I‐90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project
area and have collected a consistent series of annual data. The use of a leadership team
composed of a small number of volunteers and limited use of paid staff continues to be
both efficient and highly effective at meeting Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project
goals. Using the a field team structure of highly trained team leaders working with
entry level volunteers, the project maintains high quality in data collection while
providing excellent educational experiences and recruiting future team leaders.
The photographic results of our remote camera work continue to provide value to
visually document wildlife presence, while our expanded protocols, which now include
hair sample collection, allow us to contribute important genetic information. The close
relationship of our project advisors to our field team leaders and to staff has proven
helpful to amend the protocols and site set ups as needed throughout the season, and
23
CWMP 2012-2013 Winter Field Season Report
