Camera Trapping for Wildlife Research & Monitoring
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The use of camera traps in wildlife monitoring and research has grown dramatically in recent years as camera trap technology and analytical approaches continue to develop. This course is intended to provide an overview of the use of camera traps in wildlife studies. The course will cover all aspects of camera trapping for wildlife studies, from camera trap selection to analytical approaches. Students will review the history and development of camera trapping as a tool for wildlife studies, examine variation in camera trap technologies, and explore various study designs, camera trap placements, data management software, and analytical approaches. Using case-studies, students will learn about the unique challenges associated with camera trapping in a variety of habitats – from temperate to tropical, arboreal to aquatic. For course completion, students will be expected to develop a camera trapping protocol for a study of their choosing – including camera selection, settings preferences, study design, data management, and analytical approach.
PREREQUISITES
None.
This course is recommended for those interested in taking Occupancy Modeling or Computer Vision.
INSTRUCTOR
COURSE FORMATS, DATES, & PRICING
Reach out to your instructor for help with course materials during the first month as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Each student will also have the opportunity over the last 2 weeks of the first month to meet with the instructor via one-on-one video consultation to discuss their individual project from school or work. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to the course for the 3-month term. Completing all exercises and course surveys are required to pass the course and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted for continuing education with ESA and TWS.
Summer : June 24 - Sept 29 (early bird* ends May 6): $500 professional / $400 student
*Early bird saves $50
Reach out to your instructor for help during the first month (and less consistent support the next two months of the term) as you work through prerecorded lectures, exercises, and your own personal work. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to the course for 1 year. This 1-credit academic course (16 contact hrs + additional work) is pre-approved for continuing education with ESA and TWS and can be taken for an additional 1-2 academic credits.
Summer : June 24 - Sept 29 (early bird* ends May 6): $600 professional / $500 student
*Early bird saves $50
History, current status, and the future of camera trapping in wildlife studies
Study design examples and considerations
Camera trap models & technologies
Camera placement and logistics in the field
Photo management: from field to data
Artificial Intelligence image recognition
Photo tagging and data management, including exploring Camelot, Zooniverse, CamtrapR, and Wildlife Insights
Analysis of camera trap data – considerations, limitations, and examples
Tapping into existing data
Development and sharing (photo management platform, and photo tagging fields and management)
“Whether you are a seasoned Wildlife Biologist or this is your first project, you will gain considerable knowledge from Dr. Olson’s experience and expertise about using game cameras for research. He did a fantastic job of preparing me for my next research project, and answered all my questions during our one-on-one time together, which I consider the most valuable part of the course.”
Ben Simpson
Wildlife Resource Manager, Penobscot Nation, Maine
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 CEUs in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to earn CEUs and receive a Certificate of Course Completion. See our continuing education credit page for more details.
UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE CREDIT
This 1-semester credit equivalent course can be taken with pre-approval from an administrator at a student’s college or university. In addition to meeting the requirements for course completion, students must take a final assessment to earn academic credit (e.g., Pass/Fail, letter grade) for this course. See our academic credit page for details.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.