Tracker/Naturalist Training Series
Our Tracker/Naturalist classes, developed by the Los Peñasquitos Tracking Team, are scheduled throughout the year and are open to all adults. For all classes, those between 12 and 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed.
At each level, Tracker Naturalist classes include a virtual evening class session on a Wednesday followed by a field day the following Saturday whose location is subject to weather and availability.
Our goals are to encourage commitment to and curiosity about local wildlife and to provide you with information and tools that will be helpful in wildlife track and sign identification. Please use this form to register for classes.
Upcoming Class Schedule:
Classes are usually offered as a combination of 7:00 to 9:00 pm weekdays AND 8:00 am to 3:30 pm Saturdays.
Beginning Tracker/Naturalist classes are scheduled for Wednesday Sep. 10th @7pm & Saturday Sep. 13th @8am
Intermediate Tracker/Naturalist classes are scheduled for Wednesday Oct. 15th @7pm & Saturday Oct. 18th @8am
Advanced Tracker/Naturalist classes are scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 10th @7pm & Saturday Dec. 13th @8am
Beginning Tracker/Naturalist Class:
This class is structured to give the prospective tracker a solid base of tracking skills and strategies for discerning detail. We introduce basic mammal track and sign identification to determine who made the track. We discuss track patterns and gaits as a means to interpret how an animal moves. And we recommend sketching and field journaling to reinforce learning objectives.
At the end of this class you will
Understand how awareness and naturalist skills are integrated with tracking.
Be able to identify tracks, track patterns, and other sign of the mammals most common to San Diego County.
Understand why journaling and field sketching are effective aids to recall the details of your observations.
Gain a basic knowledge of gaits and track patterns.
Have opportunities to further develop your tracking and naturalist capabilities in two ways, by participating in our wildlife surveys and by attending field ("dirt-time") practice and more advanced classes.
Intermediate Tracker/Naturalist Class:
The second course in our Tracker Naturalist series will expand your ability to identify a wider range of wildlife tracks over a variety of substrates. You will compare and contrast tracks that often confuse beginning trackers and may even challenge advanced trackers. You will be exposed to skull and denture identification, scat features, and additional track patterns and gaits.
At the end of this class you will be able to
Identify a wider range of tracks, track patterns and other sign of San Diego County mammals and birds and better differentiate among tracks of animals in the same family.
Approximate the speed at which an animal was moving from track patterns.
Interpret a variety of tracks and track patterns and better understand how they relate to the movement, intent, and behavior of the animal.
Identify local animals by their skulls, dental patterns and jaw structures.
Perform basic track aging, to estimate how weather and substrate affect the rate at which scat and other sign deteriorate.
Advanced Tracker/Naturalist Class:
The third and final class in the Tracker Naturalist series concentrates on fine detail and continued development of your proficiency as a tracker. We provide substantial dirt time for you to practice and verify track identification, to interpret observations, and to "age" tracks and signs accurately so that you can discover areas of weakness and strength. We also give you a taste of a tracker evaluation should you wish to pursue Cybertracking certification in the future. A detailed discussion of track patterns and gaits will be presented.
At the end of this class you should
Be able to identify a large number of tracks of mammals, birds and insects in San Diego County.
Be able to identify a variety of animal tracks and interpret associated gaits.
Have a solid foundation upon which to further build your tracking and naturalist abilities.
Dates and Times:
Classes are usually offered as a combination of 7:00 to 9:00 pm weekdays AND 8:00 am to 3:30 pm Saturdays. SDTT will comply with all San Diego City and County guidelines regarding when it is safe to resume "normal" activities.
Beginning Tracker/Naturalist classes are scheduled for Wednesday Sep. 10th @7pm & Saturday Sep. 13th @8am
Intermediate Tracker/Naturalist classes are scheduled for Wednesday Oct. 15th @7pm & Saturday Oct. 18th @8am
Advanced Tracker/Naturalist classes are scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 10th @7pm & Saturday Dec. 13th @8am
Intensive Dirt Time
Intensive Dirt Time is meant for those who have completed the SDTT beginning, intermediate, and advanced tracking classes, as well as those with advanced tracking experience. It is “dirt time” only, which means no lectures or slide shows as in our Tracker/Naturalist courses. Through a day of field exercises, you will have the opportunity to practice your skills related to everything that was covered in the Tracker/Naturalist series – and then some. There is a $10 fee. Locations will vary.
Ask at your Tracker/Naturalist class to be added to the distribution list to receive notification of dates and times.
If you have questions, please contact us via email at sdttinfo@gmail.com or call (760) 715-4102.