Winter Wildlife Tracking: Online and In the Woods
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Winter is a wonderful time to explore how wildlife use the landscape. Join us for a collaborative wildlife tracking learning series that offers multiple opportunities to observe animal movement, behavior, and habitat use in the woods over the coming months. The series includes a mix of live webinars and in-person tracking workshops, giving participants flexible ways to learn tracking skills and begin monitoring how wildlife use the land. These observations can help inform future stewardship decisions.
The webinars are presented by Sophie Mazowita, Tracking Connections. Sophie is a naturalist educator, consulting ecologist, and certified wildlife tracker based in Jeffersonville, Vermont.
This collaborative learning series is offered in partnership with Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Cold Hollow to Canada, Northwoods Stewardship Center, Vermont Coverts, and Vermont Woodlands Association, and is supported by a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation.
Webinar Series
Webinar 1: Winter Track & Trail Identification
Wednesday, January 28, 7–8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Sophie Mazowita, Tracking Connections
Winter offers a unique opportunity to understand how wildlife use the landscape. In this introductory webinar, participants will learn how to identify common wildlife tracks and trails found in snow and soft ground, and how to interpret what they reveal about animal movement, behavior, and habitat use. We’ll explore track patterns, gait, and other signs that help tell the story of which animals are moving through the woods and how they navigate the landscape in winter.
Designed for landowners, and anyone curious about wildlife in their woods, this session will build foundational tracking skills and introduce how observations made in winter can inform future stewardship decisions. No prior tracking experience is required.
Webinar 2: Trail Camera Tips for Documenting Wildlife and Monitoring Habitat
Wednesday, February 18, 7–8:15 p.m.
Trail cameras are a powerful tool for observing wildlife and understanding how animals use the landscape over time. This webinar will focus on practical, hands-on tips for using trail cameras to document wildlife presence and monitor habitat use in your woods. Topics include camera types and settings, placement strategies, and how trail camera observations can complement on-the-ground tracking. Designed for landowners and anyone interested in learning more about wildlife in their woods, this session will help participants use trail cameras more effectively and connect what they observe to thoughtful stewardship and land management decisions. No prior experience with trail cameras is required.
Webinar 3: From the Field: Stories, Questions, and Shared Learning
Wednesday, March 18, 7–8:15 p.m.
This discussion-based webinar brings the series full circle by creating space for participants to share observations, trail camera photos, and questions from their own woods. Together, we’ll reflect on what we’ve noticed over the winter, compare experiences, and explore what these observations can tell us about wildlife movement, behavior, and habitat use.
Designed as a collaborative learning session, this webinar encourages curiosity and shared inquiry. Participants will deepen their tracking and monitoring skills by learning from one another and discussing how insights from the field can inform future stewardship and land management decisions.
Wildlife Tracking Workshops
Wildlife Tracking and Sign
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10am to 1pm , Cambridge, VT
Join Wildlife Track & Sign Specialist Sophie Mazowita (Tracking Connection) for a 3-hour excursion at the Krusch Nature Preserve. Intended for beginner and intermediate wildlife trackers, we will discuss track and trail identification and explore the behavior of any wildlife trails we find. This program is geared towards adults and teens. Wear lots of warm layers, as we will move at a gentle pace and spend lots of time circled up discussing the tracks we find (bundle up more than for your typical hike or walk in the woods)! Snowshoes may be required and are available to borrow from some area libraries. Bad weather date Sunday, February 1.
Advance registration required (sliding scale donation). Group size is limited so that we can all circle around tracks together.
Hosted by Cold Hollow to Canada.
Wildlife Tracking and Sign
Saturday, February 21, 2026, East Charleston, VT
Join Wildlife Track & Sign Professional Lucian Avery for a 2.5-hour excursion at NorthWoods Stewardship Center. Intended for beginner and intermediate wildlife trackers, we will discuss track and trail identification and explore the behavior of any wildlife trails we find.
This program is geared towards adults and teens. Wear lots of warm layers, as we will move at a gentle pace and spend lots of time circled up discussing the tracks we find (bundle up more than for your typical hike or walk in the woods)!
Snowshoes may be required and are available to rent at NorthWoods ($10/pair). Bad weather date is Saturday, February 28.
Sign up for one of two sessions: 9:30am to Noon OR 1:30pm to 4:00pm
Advance registration is required. Please register for either the AM or PM session – group size is limited so that we can all circle around tracks together.
Hosted by NorthWoods Stewardship Center.
Wildlife Tracking for Families
Saturday, February 28, 2026, Hubbard Park, Montpelier , VT
Join Vermont Woodlands Association for a wildlife tracking walk led by Ali Thomas, the Outreach Division Director for Vermont Fish and Wildlife. We will start with a brief natural history discussion about common winter wildlife and then learn how to identify the tracks they’ve left behind. We’ll wrap up the event with light treats provided.
This event is designed for children and families, please dress in warm layers and wear shoes appropriate for walking and the weather. Caregivers will need to attend with their children.
Bring a sense of curiosity and wonder! Event is free but registration is required.
Winter Wildlife Tracking
Sunday, March 15- Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee
Join Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Institute for Natural Science for a wildlife tracking walk. We will start with a brief natural history discussion about common winter wildlife and then learn how to identify tracks. After the walk, we will gather in one of VINs buildings for an opportunity to warm up over some hot chocolate and light refreshments. Feel free to bring your lunch! This event is designed for children and families, please dress in warm layers and wear shoes appropriate for walking and the weather. Caregivers will need to attend with their children.
Bring a sense of curiosity and wonder! Event is free but registration is required.