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2. I-90 Corridor: Between Hyak and Easton along I-90
3. Southern Cascades: South of I-90
At the start of each year, monitoring objectives are established by project staff with feedback and guidance
from the Advisory Council. These objectives are typically in response to current statewide priority species and
habitat that has been identified as important for these species. In 2015, our monitoring objectives were to:
1. Monitor the recovery of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in the Cascade Mountains, with a particular focus on
the Southern Recovery Zone. These survey areas were determined in response to identified high-
quality habitat where wolves are expected to expand their existing range.
2. Document the presence of wolverines (Gulo gulo) in the North and South Cascades, outside of the
geographic scope of the ongoing North Cascades Wolverine Study.
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In addition to visual
documentation through remote cameras, these survey areas are set up to collect valuable genetic
information for wildlife agencies.
3. Document grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone.
4. Observe the behavior and presence of all wildlife species in key habitat connectivity areas east of
Snoqualmie Pass along Interstate 90, where wildlife crossing structures are completed, under
construction, or planned for construction as part of the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project.
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5. Detect transboundary wildlife activity between northeast Washington and British Columbia with a
specific focus on documenting and collecting genetic information from Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis).
WOLF MONITORING
Since 2008, when this program's remote cameras documented the first wolf pack in Washington in over 70
years, Conservation Northwest has placed a major focus on wolf recovery in Washington. As of 2014,
Washington is home to 15 confirmed wolf packs, making up over 61 wolves.
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The US Fish and Wildlife Service
confirmed the presence of a new pack in November 2015, the Loup Loup pack, and we expect that the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will update their report in the coming months to reflect the
state's most up-to-date wolf count
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. Conservation Northwest partners with the Washington Department of
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North Cascades Wolverine Study. Lead Principle Investigator: Keith Aubry (USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station, Olympia, WA)
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The I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project is designed to improve wildlife movement across I-90 between Hyak
and Easton. The I-90 project design includes 14 key animal-travel areas, where one or more improvements will
be made to allow for wildlife to better move across the interstate and waterways under the interstate. Maps of
the identified areas for wildlife passage can be found at: wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/F6513B4C-12AE-43D3-
ABA1-95104CAAD29D/72075/I90_Project_Folio_ConstWeb.pdf
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Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Gray Wolf Packs Map:
wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs
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Service Confirms New Wolf Pack in North-Central Washington, United States Fish and Wildlife Service:
http://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ID=3A72EB23-A4B7-EDB5-C7BD1CE75668DED6
