Wildlife Camera Project - Annual Orientation Meeting

The Wildlife Camera Project (WCP) is managed by Learning Among the Oaks, a program of the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. This project provides a window into animal activities in our local oak woodlands. Though we sometimes see birds - sometimes even bald eagles - most of the images we capture are of mammals going about their lives, in search of food, water, a mate, or a place to shelter.

The project began at the Santa Margarita Ranch Learning Among the Oaks Trail in 2011 as a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Senior Project for Christina McAdams, 2012 B.S. Environmental Management and Protection. Christina worked with advisor Biological Sciences Professor John Perrine, PhD, to develop the project. The project expanded to the Pismo Preserve in 2016, to the Vineyard School Nature Trail in 2019, and to Santa Rita Ranch in 2021.

1. Stimulate public interest in learning about local wildlife and habitat conservation issues
2. Help our community better understand how to live in harmony with our wild neighbors
3. Promote public and private support for local land conservation to protect wildlife habitat
4. Help students understand how scientists use wildlife cameras as an investigative tool
5. Track and study human impacts on local oak woodlands and trails

1. Website page with photo galleries, Images and educational notes are shared on Facebook and Instagram, https://www.facebook.com/learningamongtheoaks/
2. Educational displays at the Santa Margarita School Learning Among the Oaks Nature Classroom and School Library
3. A variety of curriculum resources, many developed in collaboration with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Students

Santa Margarita Ranch (est. 2012): 5 Cameras, Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 (1), Browning Strike Force pro XD (4)

Pismo Preserve (est. 2016): 3 Cameras, Browning Recon Force pro XD

Santa Rita Ranch (est. 2021): 8 Cameras, Browning Strike Force pro XD (6), Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 (2)

The WCP is supported by dozens of dedicated volunteers, partners, and donors. Beyond the countless volunteer hours, regular expenses include cameras, batteries, mounts, digital image and data management software, volunteer training materials and safety equipment, display materials, website upkeep.

Also check out other Meetups in Santa Margarita, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Santa Margarita, Workshops in Santa Margarita.