Get involved with Carnivore Project
Carnivore Project is built on community participation. Much of the data we work with comes directly from people living, working, and spending time in the same landscapes as mountain lions, black bears, and wolves.
As our work expands across the Sierra Nevada foothills and into Northern California, we are continuing to build a more consistent, long-term understanding of how these species move through and use these landscapes. That effort depends on people who are willing to contribute observations, data, and in some cases, help us actively collect it.
There are a few ways to get involved, depending on your level of interest and resources.
What is a Camera Trap?
A camera trap is a motion-activated camera placed in the field that automatically captures photos or videos when an animal passes by.
These cameras are one of the most widely used tools in modern wildlife research. They allow us to monitor wildlife without disturbing animals and provide insight into:
- Movement patterns
- Species presence and distribution
- Activity timing (day vs. night)
- Behavior and interactions
For carnivore research specifically, camera traps are critical. Species like mountain lions and wolves are generally elusive and tend to avoid people, making direct observation alone difficult.
Additionally, observations based on sightings are inherently biased. These reports are typically made in human-dominated areas such as homes, roads, and other public spaces, and do not represent the full extent of these species’ movement or behavior across the landscape.
Camera traps, by contrast, provide a more objective method of detection and allow us to better understand true patterns of wildlife presence and activity.
Why This Matters
Citizen-reported sightings are incredibly valuable—but they only tell part of the story.
Camera traps provide continuous, unbiased data. Instead of capturing a single moment in time, they create an ongoing record of wildlife presence and activity across the landscape.
By combining:
- Public sightings
- Camera trap data
- Field observations
we can build a much clearer and more accurate picture of how carnivores are using these environments—and more importantly, how to reduce conflict and improve coexistence.
Become a Camera Trap Volunteer
Camera Trap Volunteers play a direct role in wildlife research.
Depending on your level of interest, involvement can range from simply contributing equipment to actively managing a camera in the field.
Volunteers may:
- Host or help maintain a camera at a selected location
- Periodically check the camera
- Replace SD cards and/or batteries (unless using solar)
- Upload images or footage to our database
- Work with us to identify species captured on camera
You don’t need prior experience—we provide guidance every step of the way.
How to Participate
There are several ways to be involved in the camera trap network:
Use Your Own Camera
If you already have a trail camera, we can help you use it in a way that produces consistent, research-quality data. This includes guidance on placement, settings, and data submission.
Purchase a Camera and Get Started
If you’re interested in running a camera but don’t yet have one, we can recommend reliable options and walk you through setup, placement, and long-term use.
Recommended brands include:
- Stealthcam
- Spypoint
- Browning
Donate a Camera and Host It
You can donate a camera and keep it on your property. We provide training and support to ensure it is set up and maintained properly as part of the network.
Donate a Camera to the Project
If you’d prefer not to host a camera, you can donate one to the project. These cameras are deployed in priority areas and maintained by trained volunteers.
If a donated camera is no longer maintained at a location, we retrieve and redeploy it elsewhere within the network.
We Help You Every Step of the Way
If you choose to participate, we don’t just hand you a camera and send you off.
We provide support with:
- Selecting the right camera
- Initial setup and programming
- Choosing an effective and appropriate location
- Ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting
- Uploading and organizing your data
- Identifying wildlife captured on camera
Our goal is to ensure that every camera contributes meaningful, usable data.
Building a Regional Camera Network
Our long-term goal is to establish a coordinated camera trap network across the Sierra Nevada foothills.
This includes:
- A growing inventory of project-owned cameras
- A camera library for temporary volunteer use
- Strategic placement in areas with consistent or emerging activity
This approach allows us to move beyond isolated sightings and toward a landscape-level understanding of wildlife movement and behavior.
Citizen Science in Action
Every image collected contributes to a larger dataset.
By participating, you are helping to:
- Track wildlife movement and distribution
- Validate and contextualize reported sightings
- Improve public understanding of carnivores
- Support science-based management and decision-making
This is real data, collected by the community, used to inform real-world outcomes.
Get Started
If you’re interested in becoming a Camera Trap Volunteer or donating a camera, reach out and let us know how you’d like to be involved.
You can also continue contributing by submitting sightings or existing camera data through our Sightings Report Form