CWMP 2017-2018 Winter Report
7
Winter Training Team Member Hours 280
Project Leadership Volunteer Hours 25
Transect Volunteer Hours 815
TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS 1335
Discussion
The results for this year's field season were relatively unremarkable in comparison to past
seasons in regards to species detections and locations. Perhaps most interesting is the
growing picture of American marten presence and absence being painted by project survey
efforts which continue to align with prior survey efforts by others which suggests there is
either limited or no connectivity between populations north and south of the interstate.
The lack of definitive evidence of either mule deer or elk using the study area likely reflects
the deep and persistent snowpack from this winter in the study area. In the past, low snow
years have been associated with greater activity recorded for these species in the study
area.
There were several notable errors in species identification made in the field by teams
which were detected and corrected by expert review of images after the field season. This
suggests the need for both continued attention to recruiting and maintaining well trained
observers. It also suggests the current methods for documenting tracks allows for the skill
of field observers to be augmented by out of the field expert assistance.
Recommendations for Next Field Season
1. American marten surveys: Continue to carry out these surveys next year. Create a
summary of areas we have surveyed and refine locations to be focused on for next year.
2. Avalanche Hazard: Because American marten surveys can take place in a wide variety
of geographic locations off of Snoqualmie Pass, including potentially areas with
avalanche hazards not experienced on any of our near-highway transects, the project
should develop a system for identifying and mitigating or avoiding these hazards for
teams carrying out these surveys. This plan will be developed during the off-season and
introduced for the coming field season.
3. Marten survey area access: Surveys conducted by a project team leader who is also a
trip leader for the Mountaineers, a climbing club, allowed for access to terrain that
would have been harder to access by general volunteers. Consider a more formal
exploration of how to tap into this potential pool of volunteers for future surveys.
4. Flagging: Preseason flagging prior to snowfall was effective in preparing for the field
season. Setting up volunteer crews to do this in September or October might allow for
better weather for these outings.
5. Observer Reliability and Snow Track Quality: Finish a thorough review and write up of
observer reliability from this project and how this relates to observer experience and
snow track quality.
