Introduction to Animal Tracking

There are few things more exhilarating than finding a fresh bear track on a dusty trail, the thimble-sized track of a fawn in spring or seeing the bright orange of an elk antler rub on an alder tree in autumn. Washington state has abundant wild and natural landscapes. Understanding the stories told from the multitude of signs left by animals can deepen our connection to and love for these places. WRI invites you to join us for a weekend introduction to the language of wildlife tracking. Throughout the weekend, you’ll gain a basic understanding of how to identify and interpret the commonly left tracks and sign of the wildlife in our region. The topics covered over the weekend will include: -Animal track and sign identification -Drawing & Journaling of tracks & sign -Plaster Casting of animal prints -Gait interpretation from track patterns -Tracking and Trailing differences -Visual awareness that helps you see more wildlife and their sign -Aging of tracks/spoor to interpret activities in time -Ecologically informed tracking to enable you to predict wildlife activity By the end of the weekend, you can expect to look at the natural world more deeply and have the primary skills necessary for a deeper study of the landscape around us. Your ticket is for a two-day introduction to tracking course. Saturday 11/19 will be from 9am-4pm. Sunday 11/20 will be from 9am-3pm. Be prepared for the day's weather. Be sure to bring plenty of water and food. Class size is limited to 13 people. Cost: $160 nonmembers, $135 members Lodging is not included. Use promo TRACK for member discount. Mark Kang O’Higgins/ Marcas O'hUigínn is originally from the west of Ireland where he grew up on a farm. He has been a part of the Wilderness Awareness School Tracking Intensive since 2008. He is the Lead Instructor and Coordinator of the program and is a Track and Sign Specialist certified by CyberTracker International. Mark has a BA and MA in Sociology of Environment, a HDip in Science & Technology Studies. He is a guest instructor with The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School where he teaches about the art of seeing, drawing, and perspective in relation to wildlife tracking. Mark has been a team leader on the Cascades Wildlife Monitoring Project. Mark also holds an MFA and works as a professional artist and runs the Atelier Program at the Gage Academy of Art. View his work at kangohiggins.com.