Past Projects

Tracking and Wildlife Movement Study

"HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. entered into an agreement with the City of San Diego to provide services in connection with the Lusardi-Lazanja Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) Initial Surveys Project. The Lusardi Creek and Lazanja Canyon areas are included in the City of San Diego's Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA) Northern subarea." [From the project report]
As a subcontractor to Helix, SDTT gathered mammal track and sign data over six survey transects within the project area, monthly, from June 2016 through May 2017. The primary objectives of this wildlife-survey project were:

  • determine the presence or apparent absence of target species;

  • document large-mammal movements; and

  • analyze the data and generate recommendations for future activities.

SDTT submitted a final report in July 2017.

A deer with large antlers standing in a dark, outdoor setting near bushes, with its eyes reflecting light from a night-vision camera.

Deer DNA Scat

In 2002 the SDTT entered into a partnership with Dr. Andy Bohonak’s lab at SDSU to collect deer scat from which DNA is extracted for analysis. This study concluded in 2006. Using several different statistical techniques, graduate student Anna Mitelberg is estimating long-term historic gene flow and comparing it to current movement patterns. Anna’s study looks at 13 locations focusing on the Peñasquitos/Del Mar Mesa/Miramar area (but also including MTRP and Hollenbeck Canyon). This is a follow up to Shea Valero’s thesis in which she used the DNA from mule deer scat to identify individual animals and trace the gene flow between six locations in San Diego County: Torrey Pines, Peñasquitos Canyon, Fortuna Mountain, Oak Canyon (MTRP), Hollenbeck Canyon, and Rancho Jamul. A follow-up study was conducted in 2013.

A deer grazing on a dirt trail in a hilly, wooded landscape with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.