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Map credit: Taylor McDowell, Intern, Conservation Northwest
SURVEY AREA SELECTION
At the beginning of each season, we select and prioritize monitoring survey areas in collaboration with project
partners and our Advisory Council. Survey areas are initially selected based on target species and core habitat
with consideration of equipment inventory, as well as staff and volunteer capacity. Our list of survey areas
goes through numerous iterations as we discuss priorities and capacity with our Advisory Council. The finalized
list of survey areas serves as a guide for volunteer recruitment.
Each survey area is chosen for a particular target species based on our monitoring objectives for the year. Our
project staff works with specific advisers from our Advisory Council to develop survey area descriptions that
include the purpose of the survey area, special considerations, and general information that our volunteers
use to help select specific installation locations and camera trap design within the general survey area they are
charged with monitoring.
Throughout the season, the field knowledge and experience of our volunteers help the CWMP staff and
Advisory Council reassess each survey area based on data gathered during the season. Because of their
