Track and Sign Dirt Time (TSDT):
Typically held on the first Saturday of each month unless a holiday or evaluation conflict exists. We visit various locations in San Diego County through the year to allow maximum exposure to all the different possible species’ tracks and sign and substrate variations. We search each area and discuss in detail all that we find, giving everyone ample opportunities to learn the deeper details that will help them on the road to becoming expert trackers. These sessions are the cornerstone of the WTI Tracker Curriculum programs and typically run from 8 am to 3 pm, with occasional earlier start/finish times. Instructors: Martin and O’Malley.
2012 dates are: 2/4, 3/3, 5/5, 6/2, 7/14.
Location: Varies.
Fee: $30 per session (TSDT) Go to Class Sign-up
*The 6/1 and 11/30 Track and Sign Dirt Time sessions are on the Wednesdays before scheduled
Cybertracker Track and Sign Evaluation weekends.
Trailing Dirt Time (TRDT):
Monthly trailing days, where we concentrate exclusively on the skill of trailing. We will sample several excellent areas within San Diego County taking advantage of seasonal variations, and the geographic and ecosystem diversity found in our area, thus acclimating each tracker to the various trailing situations likely to be encountered in our big, diverse county. Our primary trailing subjects will be mule deer and mountain lion but bighorn sheep could also be a possibility on some outings. These trailing workshops are a key component in the Advanced Tracker curriculum. Trailing Dirt Time sessions will typically run from no later than 8 am until no later than 4 pm with potentially earlier start and end times depending on the situation. Instructors: Martin and O’Malley. (Course requirements: AT2; 15).
2012 dates are: 2/11, 3/10, 4/21, 5/12, 6/9, 7/21.
Location: Varies.
Fee: $30 per session (TRDT). Go to Class Sign-up page. (Course requirements: AT1;4. AT2;15).
San Diego Tracking Team Tracker/Naturalist Classes (SDTT 1,2 or 3):
These classes are part of the WTI Tracker Curricular programs. They are intended to prepare trackers to participate in the SDTT quarterly data collection effort where your tracking skills are put to practical use. These courses will help you expand your capabilities as a tracker/naturalist and provide you with a solid base of knowledge that will help you to better assimilate the information to be covered in the WTI Track and Sign Dirt Time sessions. Lead Instructors: Botta, Kirchhevel. There are three courses in the SDTT curriculum including:
- Beginning Tracking For Wildlife Surveys Class, Fee: $25*, 2012 dates: TBD
all 8am-4pm. (Course req. AT1; 1). - Intermediate Tracker/Naturalist Class, Fee: $50*, 2012 dates: TBD
9pm & 9/24 8am-4pm. (Course req. AT1; 1). - Advanced Tracker Naturalist Class, Fee: $50*, 2012 dates: TBD
9pm & 11/19 8am-4pm. (Course req. AT2; 1). - SDTT Apprentice Program, Fee: $50* 100 hours of various tracking related pursuits. (AT2; 1)
Location: Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve for all classes.
Go to the San Diego Tracking Team page for more information.
*NOTE: Pay these fees to SDTT (cash or check) at the class unless you choose to pay the “Pay-In-Advance” discounted tuition fee for the WTI Tracker Programs where the SDTT fees are included.
Focused Species Evening Sessions (FS):
Monthly on the first Tuesdays of each month, 7 to 9 pm with a pre-class Q/A period starting a 6:30 pm for those who can make it early. Exceptions are, no classes in December and January, and in August and November classes will be on the second Tuesdays. In 10 sessions this class will cover in detail, facts (from a tracker’s perspective) about the majority of mammals and many bird species found in the various San Diego bio-zones. This will strengthen your overall knowledge and field capabilities considerably, making your dirt time more productive. These classes are also a key element in the WTI Tracker programs where you will be guided through a journaling process that will further strengthen your overall tracker/naturalist capabilities. Complimentary light dinner will be served. Instructors: Martin with potential guest specialists (arrangements pending).(Course req, AT1; 4, AT2; 10, RT&S; 5).
2012 Dates: 2/7, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1, 6/5, 7/10.
Location: Penasquitos Ranch House, 7-9pm.
Fee: $25 per session (FS) Go to Class Sign-up page.
San Diego Co. Plants, Plant Communities & Ecosystems with Dale Ritenour:
Dale is a field biologist with a passion for plants. He has 12 years of professional experience, and enjoys sharing his knowledge through our plant workshops. He will be running 3 sessions, each held in a different San Diego County location this spring taking maximum advantage of the bloom. By gaining a solid working knowledge of plants and associated wildlife, the tracker’s capabilities are multiplied as he looks out onto a landscape and visualizes what species are present. His task then boils down to confirming what he knows ought to be there via the evidence. An expert tracker knows plant communities and the associated fauna; here is your opportunity to open the door to that capability. Instructor: Ritenour. (Course req. AT1).
2012 Dates: TBD
Locations: TBD: 8am till about 1pm (some sessions may go longer if interest dictates).
Fee: $90 for series, $30 per session.
Photography for Trackers with Lee Kirchhevel (PFT):
Accomplished wildlife photographer, tracker, and one of the founding members of the Los Penasquitos Tracking Team, Lee Kirchhevel will be conducting this excellent class. As any competent tracker knows, the ability to take good photos is an essential ingredient in the journaling and study of the art and science of tracking. Lee helps you get the most out of your camera, no matter what kind, in various lighting conditions so that when you get home and review the photos you take in the field you’ll be able to see the detail reproduced that you expect and not just a picture of dirt! Instructor: Kirchhevel. (Course req. AT1; 1).
2012 Dates: TBD
Location: Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve.
Fee: $50 (PFT) Go to Class Sign-up page.
Specialist Track and Sign Evaluation with Jonah Evans and Mark Elbroch:
WTI is hosting this rare opportunity for trackers to have a shot at the Cybertracker specialist certification in track and sign. To achieve “specialist” status, you must get 100% on this evaluation in which most of the questions are of level 3 degree of difficulty. This evaluation is meant for advanced trackers aiming at the highest level of certification, but if you are hungry to learn, this would be an excellent workshop opportunity. If going for specialist, it is recommended that you be certified at level 3 track and sign or have attained a high level 2 score with a lot of preparation under your belt in either case. This evaluation type requires a lead evaluator and an external evaluator. Jonah Evans will be the lead and Mark Elbroch (who brought the Cybertracker evaluations to the US) will be the external evaluator. No matter what your current certification level, you will learn even more about tracking in what is the most efficient track and sign workshops ever devised. Evaluators: Evans and Elbroch. (Crs. req. AT2 Option).
Dates: TBD
Location: TBD
Fee: $350 (STSE) (This is a higher fee to cover the 2 evaluator requirement). Go to Class Sign Up page.
Trailing Workshop with Brian McConnell:
Brian McConnell, was the first Senior Tracker designated in the United States under the Cybertracker evaluation system. Brian will again travel to California from Washington State to help you hone your trailing skills. We will journey to Cuyama in the Los Padres National Forest this year where we’ll camp and expect to trail black bear, cougar and mule deer are plentiful. Learn first hand cougar and bear habits and movement routines by following its tracks and sharpening your tracking/trailing skills in the process. There will be plenty of opportunities to follow deer as well with a much higher likelihood of finding and seeing the animal you’ve been trailing. Instructor: McConnell. (Course req. AT2; 1)
Dates: TBD
Location: Cuyama/Los Padres National Forest
Fee: $165 (TRWS) Go to Class Sign Up page.
Trailing Evaluation with Brian McConnell:
Brian McConnell, the first Senior Tracker designated in the United States under the Cybertracker evaluation system will be conducting a lower-band trailing evaluation for those who have never taken a trailing evaluation, those seeking a higher certification, or those seeking to sharpen their skills at following animal trails. This evaluation will be in San Diego county and will focus on mule deer or mountain lion. Evaluator: McConnell. (Course req. AT2; 1)
Dates: January 21 and 22, 2012
Location: San Diego County
Fee: $450
Specialist Trailing Evaluation with Brian McConnell and Mark Elbroch:
Prerequisite for this evaluation is a level 3 trailing certification. Anticipate following cougar or black bear trails in the Cuyama region of the Los Padres National Forest in an attempt to get a 100% score and certification at the specialist trailing level. Evaluators: McConnell and Elbroch. (Course req. AT2; Option). 2011
Dates: TBD
Location: Cuyama (Camping). Food provided.
Fee: $475 (STRE) Higher fee covers 2 evaluator requirement. Go to Class Sign Up page.
Track and Sign Evaluation with Jonah Evans:
After many months of intensive study, dirt time and practical application of your tracking skills through your participation in all the WTI classes, you now have the opportunity to see where you stand as a tracker as well as learn even more about tracking in what is the most efficient track and sign workshop ever devised. This is the payoff for all the work you’ve done. If you have applied yourself and learned your lessons well, you will walk away from this with a Track and Sign Certification from Cybertracker Conservation, see www.cybertracker.org for evaluation details. Evaluator: Evans. (Course req. AT2; 1) 2011
Dates: TBD
Location: TBA within San Diego County.
Fee: $275 (TSE) Go to Class Sign Up page.
Additional Services
*One on One Tracking or Survival Instruction – $100/half day (4 hours), $200/full day (8 hours)
