Think Wild and Cascadia Wild Partner to Expand Rare Carnivore Monitoring in Central Oregon

Volunteer-powered community science efforts will track wolverines, Sierra Nevada red foxes, gray wolves, and other sensitive species.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:43pm

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Think Wild and Cascadia Wild are collaborating to expand rare carnivore monitoring in Central Oregon through volunteer-powered community science initiatives. Building on Cascadia Wild's long-running Wolverine Tracking Project, the expanded efforts will target species like wolverines, Sierra Nevada red foxes, gray wolves, martens, and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Trained volunteers will conduct track and sign surveys as well as deploy remote cameras to collect field data that informs wildlife management decisions and supports proactive conflict prevention.

Why it matters

These community science initiatives strengthen state and federal agency capacity, provide land managers and communities with clearer information about sensitive species presence, and engage the public in hands-on stewardship of Central Oregon's diverse habitats and wildlife.

The details

The partnership will formalize and expand on a pilot wolf monitoring program launched by Think Wild last year, which saw overwhelming volunteer interest. In addition to the winter tracking surveys, volunteers will be trained this spring to assist with summer fieldwork focused on Sierra Nevada red fox and wolf monitoring. Think Wild will also coordinate community scientists to collect Sierra Nevada red fox scat samples for genetic analysis to improve understanding of this rare and elusive species.

  • The Wolverine Tracking Project began in 2001.
  • Think Wild piloted wolf monitoring in Central Oregon last year.
  • Wolf Tracking Training is scheduled for May 14, 2026.
  • Scat Collection Training is scheduled for June 8, 2026.

The players

Think Wild

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Bend, Oregon that inspires the High Desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through education, conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation.

Cascadia Wild

A non-profit organization that runs the long-running Wolverine Tracking Project and provides opportunities for community members to connect with wild spaces through carnivore monitoring and tracking programs.

Kylie Lanuza

Think Wild's Wildlife Community Science Project Coordinator, who previously volunteered with Cascadia Wild and is leading the expansion of rare carnivore monitoring efforts in Central Oregon.

Teri Lysak

Cascadia Wild's Executive Director.

Kalysta Adkins

Fish and Wildlife Biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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What they’re saying

“Central Oregon is an incredible place to do this work, with such diverse habitats and a strong, outdoors-oriented community that cares deeply about wildlife.”

— Kylie Lanuza, Wildlife Community Science Project Coordinator, Think Wild

“Participatory science is a great way to create a sense of stewardship and belonging to the land. We are excited to partner with Think Wild and provide opportunities for Central Oregon community members to connect with their wild spaces through our carnivore monitoring and tracking programs.”

— Teri Lysak, Executive Director, Cascadia Wild

“These secretive carnivores are notoriously elusive and difficult to document, and there's a lot of suitable montane fox habitat in Central Oregon that we'd like to survey. Fecal samples, or scats, contain genetic information that is left behind by the animal. These samples can be used to answer questions about where an animal is present, what an animal is eating, how healthy it is, or how it competes for resources with other co-occurring mesocarnivores like coyotes.”

— Kalysta Adkins, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These community science initiatives in Central Oregon strengthen wildlife monitoring and management, engage the public in hands-on stewardship, and provide valuable data to inform responsible decisions about the region's sensitive carnivore species and their habitats.