The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, the Friends of Dyken Pond, Tamakoce Wilderness Programs and the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance have teamed together to begin wildlife tracking surveys of mammals. There is an interest in documenting distribution and abundance of fisher, bobcat, coyote, grey fox, otter, bear and moose among other mammals. In order to do this, there is a need to train volunteers who have the knowledge and skills to help with monitoring surveys.
The goals of the wildlife survey are to:
• record the presence and abundance of these species: black bear, fisher, gray fox, coyote, bobcat, moose and otter;
• identify patterns of travel;
• identify core feeding, denning/resting, mating and birthing areas, and
• develop a sense of the relative abundance and distribution of wildlife populations and to provide the public with an opportunity to be involved in monitoring our forest mammals.
In 2015, plans are underway to monitor a 40 acre parcel at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. As we gain more volunteers, more area can be monitored. Our ultimate goal is to monitor the entire Rensselaer Plateau.
To participate, you will be expected to attend tracking training provided by Tamakoce Wilderness Programs and agree to complete three surveys in one season following guidelines and submit your findings. There is a fee of $250 for this training. The training will give you skills that will last you a lifetime.
Training Schedule
January 31 – Field Day, 10 am to 3 pm
February 11 – Evening slideshow/data collection, 6 to 9 pm
February 28 – Field Day, 10 am to 3 pm
March 8 – Field Day, 10 am to 3 pm
March 21 – Field Evaluation, 10 am to 3 pm
May 9 – Field Day, 10 am to 3 pm
Become a Tracker and Citizen Scientist! For more information and to pre-register, contact Dan Yacobellis at info@tamakocewildernessprograms.com.