Introductory Track & Sign Certification – Sep. 21, Hinton, Alberta

Saturday, September 21, 2024 | Ages 18+ | Apply before September 12 | Limited space

This is a 1-day Introductory Wildlife Track & Sign Certification workshop meant as an introduction to the certification process. It is open to any skill level and offers the opportunity for participants to earn a Level 1 certification in Track & Sign. Level 1 is the lowest level of certification. Achieving a Level 1 Certification requires that the candidate be able to interpret the tracks and sign of medium to large animals and have a fair knowledge of animal behavior. To qualify for the Track & Sign Level I certificate the candidate must obtain 70% on the 1-day Track & Sign identification and interpretation evaluation.

We recommend that individuals intending to provide formal training to others in the identification of animal tracks, or individuals intending to collect wildlife data or otherwise use wildlife track identification or interpretation to inform wildlife management or conservation initiatives, work towards achieving a Level 3 or higher certification.

The Track and Sign Certification is an internationally applied, professional-level training process used to promote wildlife tracking and ecological knowledge. The process is designed to give each participant the opportunity to personally investigate each track or sign found before the group discusses it at length. This process creates intensive levels of challenge and concentration, balanced by fun, open, and entertaining discussions that engage the group in an unforgettable exploration of animal behaviour, physiology, and ecology. This combination has proven to be a wildly effective method to immediately enhance an individual’s knowledge, and their ability to accurately interpret track and sign on their own. The process emphasises practical tracking and the development of reliable field skills, and transforms the way we see the wild world. No prior training is required to participate. Certification depends on performance.

This introductory Certification will be lead by David Moskowitz. David is a professional wildlife tracker, photographer, wildlife biologist, naturalist and educator. He is a Track & Sign Evaluator with Tracker Certification North America, and is the author of a number of books, including: Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – Tracking and Identifying Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates, and; Peterson Field Guide to North American Bird Nests.

To learn more about the workshop and evaluation format, potential participants are encouraged visit Tracker Certification North America.

Participants must be prepared to spend a full day in the outdoors and be comfortable in rugged and isolated terrain in uncertain weather.

Transportation, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of each participant.

In the interest of equity, half of the available workshop registrations will be reserved for those identifying as women, visible minorities / persons of colour, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, until September 6th. Interested parties may apply through a registration link and those applications not prioritised in the interest of equity will be placed on a waiting list and prioritised in the order that applications are received, after September 6th.

Cancelation / Refund Policy 
If for any reason we have to cancel the event (e.g. extreme weather, too few registrants), a full refund will be provided, less any applied processing fees.

Registrants who withdraw their registration for which we are unable to find a replacement will not be eligible for a refund.

Registrants who withdraw their registration, for which we are able to find a replacement registration will receive a refund, less 15% administration fees. All refunds will be by email transfer.

Registration Deadline

We will be accepting registration applications until September 12, 2024.