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as an example of the crossing structures' utility for wildlife to travel safely under I-90. Since the underpass
areas have transitioned to a restoration phase, we expect to see wildlife making more use of them and
adjacent areas. As construction continues on the first wildlife overpass, we will continue to pay especially
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
