TWO OUT OF THREE AIN’T BAD- FOREST CARNIVORE MONITORING IN THE SWAN, CLEARWATER AND BLACKFOOT VALLEYS

As part of the Collaborated Forest Landscape Restoration Program, the US Forest Service engaged in multi-party forest carnivore inventory and monitoring across the Swan, Clearwater and Blackfoot Valleys between 2013 and 2016.  The target species for detection were wolverine, fisher and Canada lynx.  The methods utilized non-invasive winter survey methods across the 1.5 million acres and revealed some insightful results regarding the detection methods and the distribution of target species across the landscape.  The monitoring and detection methodology has contributed to additional forest carnivore monitoring approaches in western Montana and some exciting new techniques for detection of otherwise elusive forest carnivores.

A Kalispell Native, Mark Ruby has maintained a small home range in western Montana.  Mark completed his undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and received his Master’s Degree from there as well. Mark has worked for the past 12 years as wildlife biologist for the Flathead Forest on the Swan Lake Ranger District.  His work has included habitat management on National Forest Lands, collaboration amongst public, agency and partners, plus environmental analysis for multiple resource management.   Mark lives in Kalispell with his wife and two sons.

The presentation will be on ZOOM.  For information  on how to log in, please email info@flatheadaudubon.org.