Conservation Northwest

5 close attention to wildlife activity nearby, including monitoring efforts after completion (expected in 2019). The work of Conservation Northwest staff, interns, volunteers and partners through the Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project increases our understanding of wildlife on Washington landscapes and in the transboundary regions of Washington and British Columbia. Not only does visual wildlife documentation influence research and policy decisions, these animal images create a narrative and face for our wildlands that informs and inspires both project participants and the public. The Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project emphasizes the importance of monitoring and conservation efforts to ensure a stable future for wildlife species that call the Northwest home. PROJECT OVERVIEW Over a decade ago, Conservation Northwest began using citizen science as a way to advance our mission to protect, connect and restore wildlands and wildlife from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies. We continue to train and deploy over a hundred citizen scientists each year throughout our mission area with the Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project (CWMP). This project uses remote cameras, genetic sample collection, and snow tracking to document the presence and behavior of rare and sensitive species, as well as the presence of common species in locations strategically important for landscape connectivity. Since its inception, CWMP has remained an asset to wildlife agencies and professionals by providing valuable data from 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 about 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 camera monitoring and snow tracking; 3. To record the presence of rare and sensitive species that regional and national conservation efforts aim to recover including the fisher, gray wolf, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, and wolverine; 4. To facilitate the exchange of information about wildlife, including data from monitoring efforts, between public agencies, researchers, conservation organizations, and interested individuals. Due to the number of partners in the Cascades Ecosystem, CWMP operates through a collaborative effort between Conservation Northwest and Wilderness Awareness School. Throughout each monitoring year, Conservation Northwest acts as the Project's administer, fiscal sponsor and volunteer coordinator for all efforts, as well as leading remote camera monitoring and equipment management. Wilderness Awareness School provides in-kind and financial support to the Project for activities associated with the I-90 Corridor, as well as important training resources and venues. Previously, the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition also supported the Project. That coalition, administered and sponsored by Conservation Northwest, concluded its work at the end of 2017. CWMP has enhanced its positive impact through an Advisory Council (listed in Acknowledgements) made up of project partners, government agency biologists, and professional researchers. Our Advisory Council provides valuable input to the review of our program; it also steers our yearly monitoring objectives and site locations. Council members assist in developing our protocols, confirm identification of priority images from the season, and provide a scientific audience for results gained in the field, ranging from hair samples to tracks. These collaborations between project partners and advisers are crucial to the success of the program year to year. Collaboration keeps our efforts scientifically informed and relevant, ensures coordination rather than duplication

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