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recorded no high priority species this winter. The project identified one species previously
undetected in past years—aplodontia (Aplodontia rufa), a relatively common species expected in
the subalpine habitat found in parts of the study area. The results of our continued assessment
of the observer reliability of our team leaders matches years past, continuing to suggest that
field identification of tracks and signs has a high degree of accuracy.
In previous years, data from winter remote camera monitoring has also been reported in our
2014-2015 Winter Monitoring Report. However, this year to create more continuity and
robustness of the program, all remote camera data will be reported on an annual cycle. The 2015
Remote Camera Monitoring Report will be made available in early 2016.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project (CWMP) is a joint project of Conservation Northwest (a
conservation and advocacy group), I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition (a group of organizations
focused on advocating for infrastructure improvements included in the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass
East Project and designed to improve habitat), and the Wilderness Awareness School (an
environmental education organization). CWMP uses trained volunteers to monitor the
presence, location, and movement of wildlife in the vicinity of proposed wildlife crossing sites
east of Snoqualmie Pass along Interstate 90 in the Washington Cascades, and elsewhere in
Washington State. CWMP uses remote cameras and snow tracking to document rare and
sensitive species throughout core areas, providing security habitat for rarer wildlife, as well as
more common species in strategically important locations. Since its inception, CWMP has
remained an asset to wildlife agencies and professionals by providing additive monitoring
efforts in areas identified as potential core habitat for some of our region's rarest wildlife. Our
main project objectives are:
1. To engage and educate citizens on wildlife species and monitoring in critical habitat
areas;
2. To record wildlife presence in the I-90 corridor and along the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East
Project in strategic locations and in core habitat through remote cameras and snow
tracking;
3. To record the presence of rare and sensitive species that regional and national
conservation efforts aim to recover including fisher, gray wolf, grizzly bear, lynx, and
wolverine;
4. To facilitate exchange of information on wildlife, including data from monitoring efforts,
between public agencies, organizations, and interested individuals.