No. If you don't already know the answer to that question, you are unlikely to complete the class. You will also be taking a slot that could be given to someone who would complete the class and use the skill to contribute to wildlife conservation.

This class is designed for beginning and intermediate trackers. Applicants involved in some aspect of wildlife conservation are given precedence in admission.

Not necessarily. In-person classes offered by top-notch tracking schools provide a much more well-rounded experience. Our classs are primarily intended for persons who have yet to have the opportunity to attend such classes. We suggest interested persons look at the list of tracking schools at NatureTracking.

No. Most of our questions are based on photographs of partial and obscure tracks and require short essay answers. The weekly workload is about what you would expect for a 3-unit college class (6-9 hours of work per week). Students are expected to answer about ten exercise questions per week. The instructor for that question will pose followup questions until the student's responses meet the instructor's satisfaction. Well-prepared students typically receive, at most, one follow-up question. Poorly prepared students experience several cycles of responses and follow-up questions that take more than a week to resolve.

No. We focus on species found in San Diego County because we have thousands of photographic examples of tracks and signs from that area. The approach we use to track & sign identification applies to species from any region. Our students have come from as far away as Mexico, Canada, and Europe.

10-12.

Approximately 11 months. It can vary with updates to the curriculum.

We give precedence to applicants currently contributing to wildlife conservation or who intend to apply track & sign identification to some aspect of wildlife conservation. This can be as simple as being a member of iNaturalist, volunteering at an animal shelter, or helping with beach cleanups. A wide range of activities qualify. We have found that people involved in wildlife conservation make the most serious and dedicated students.

This class emphasizes detailed observation and objective comparison of the track features of multiple species to come to a conclusion in track & sign identification. It is highly analytical.

The quality of T&S identification skills cannot be predicted. Students who complete the class will have acquired skills in using multi-factor analysis in track & sign identification. However, students must supplement their learning with time in the field. Students with the strongest interest and who consistently take the initiative to track in the field become the best trackers. This is true whether or not they take our class. Our class accelerates a particular learning phase for such individuals. At the time of this writing, all alumni who have participated in Cybertracker evaluations have been certified by Cybertracker in Track & Sign.

Students who follow instructions, answer all exercise questions, and respond to all follow-up questions receive a completion certificate. Southwest Wildlife Online Tracking Training hosts Cybertracker evaluations on a regular basis. At the time of this writing, all alumni who have participated in Cybertracker evaluations have received a Track & Sign certificate from Cybertracker.

The tuition cost for the class that begins on July 29, 2024 is $100. Tuition is used to cover operating costs, to subsidize class tuition for disadvantaged students, and to subsidize Cybertracker evaluations and tracking workshops for our graduates. Instructors donate their time and expertise and receive no financial compensation.

Southwest Wildlife Online Tracking Training will cover the cost of tuition for any deserving student for whom it would be burdensome.

Instructors receive no monetary remuneration. We currently have a faculty of seven instructors. Each instructor has volunteered to donate an average of one hour per week of their time. In that hour, an instructor handles an average of 1.4 questions for an average of 7.5 students. We are able to attract such highly skilled instructors because of their commitment to wildlife conservation and by limiting the amount of time they donate to one hour per week. Our operational costs are roughly $25 per month. The amount in excess of the amount obtained in tuition is applied to subsidize participation in Cybertracker evaluations for recent graduates and tuition for financially disadvantaged students.

The next class begins on July 29, 2024. The class is approximately eleven months long.

The application period for the class that begins on 7/29/2024 is 8/1/2023-6/3/2024. Apply by email to

Please include the following information:

• Your name
• Email address
• A description of your experience and/or intentions related to tracking and wildlife conservation.

June 3, 2024, is the last day tuition for the class that begins on July 29, 2024 can be refunded. It is too late to recruit additional students after that date.

Go to the "Find a Tracker" tab on the Cybertracker North America website to search the tracker databases to verify the certification levels of the instructors.