Wildlife Corridor Project

Introduction

Wildlife cameras (also called “camera traps”) are an efficient and inexpensive method for surveying wildlife. Wildlife cameras allow wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, educators, land managers, and the public to have a window into the lives and behaviors of wildlife.
LandPaths’ first iteration of a wildlife camera program began at Bohemia Ecological Preserve in 2014. Led by current Ocean Song steward Erin Mulligan and environmental and educational consultant Meghan Walla-Murphy, the program was created as a way to engage the community in studying important wildlife corridors.
The second version of this project was launched by Senior Stewardship Field Specialist Benjamin Bravo in 2021, employing Wildfire Picture Index (WPI) methods (see below). Benjamin left LandPaths in early 2025 and the program is now run by volunteers.
Camera-Traps-_-Sonoma-Linkages_2023_v2-2Download

Purpose

The main purpose of this project is to encourage a connection to the land and to provide LandPaths with a basic ecological knowledge of our preserves.
Using wildlife cameras, we can learn information about: mammalian biodiversity, habitat use, temporal patterns, and behavior.
This project is important because it is one of the only projects in West Sonoma County that seeks to study wildlife corridors and riparian zones. It’s made possible by the dedication of over 30 volunteers and the generous donation of supplies by Jack and Francine Levin

Methods

The wildlife cameras at Ocean Song/Myers Preserve and Bohemia Ecological Preserve are set-up using a modified Wildlife Picture Index grid. Wildlife cameras are set up on a 500-meter grid. You can find them along trails or deer trails and they use standardized camera settings. This system allows for even coverage of the preserves. Every six weeks, volunteers and staff retrieve data chips from the cameras.
We also have a few “special interest” cameras set up at Bohemia and Riddell Preserve to examine riparian corridors, ponds, and areas of human use. These cameras do not use the standard WPI methods but provide some great photos of wildlife presence and behavior.

How You Can Participate!

  • Send an email to outings@landpaths.org to get started.

Thank you to our current volunteers!

Bohemia Ecological Preserve

  • Betsy D.
  • Mathew G.
  • Pat S.
  • Rosa B.
  • Ellen B.
  • Forrest J.
  • Eileen J.
  • John F.
  • Jose F.
  • Al P.
  • Brian G.
  • Theresa B.
  • Janusz K.
  • Judy F.
  • Jeff F.
  • Greg B.

Ocean Song /Myers Preserve

  • Darlene P.
  • Chris P.
  • Forrest J.
  • Eileen J.
  • Sally Q.
  • Dane R.
  • Carol C.
  • Dan S.
  • Pat S.
  • Betsy D.
  • Mathew G.
  • Matt R.

Riddell Preserve

  • Jeff H.
  • Vida H.

Data Volunteers

  • Ariane B.
  • Ellen B.
  • Rosa B.
  • Betsy D.
  • Charlotte M.
  • Mary F.
  • Carol C.
  • Dane R.
  • Sally Q.
  • Matt R.

Wildlife Photos of Bohemia Ecological Preserve

Wildlife Photos of Ocean Song/Myers Preserve

Wildlife Photos of Riddell Preserve

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