| About Western Tracking Institute (WTI) WTI was formally licensed as a sole proprietorship in January 2007 by Tracker Barry Martin who has attained a Tracker Level 3 certificate under the CyberTrackerConservation North American evaluation protocol administered by Mark Elbroch (see www. wildlifetrackers.com and www.cybertracker.org). The mission of WTI lies in the practical application of our premier wildlife tracking capabilities and aerial telemetry services for field research and data collection efforts. Our unique skill set puts WTI in a position to provide a range of services to individuals (tracker training), environmental consulting firms and organizations engaged in research. About Barry Martin I became "track aware" as a youngster while living in the Seattle area but really got serious about tracking in the late 1980's after moving to Rancho Penasquitos, a community of San Diego. We live close to the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, home to a healthy ecosystem containing a rich variety of species where my fascination with tracking blossomed. With the help of many others dedicated to conservation and enthralled with tracking I formed the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Tracking Team in the early 1990's and that eventually led to the founding of the San Diego Tracking Team (www.SDTT.org), a network of volunteer based tracking teams in San Diego County, documenting track and sign data every quarter throughout the county. In August of 2006, after over 21 years of service, I took an early retirement from American Airlines where I was a 767 Captain. This opened new possibilities for me in that I am now able to pursue tracking not just as an avocation but as my primary work. My experience as a tracker/naturalist combined with my skill as a pilot provides a combination of expertise unique in the world of field biology: As a tracker;
As a Pilot;
Great Combination of Skills As a tracker with extensive field experience and an experienced pilot sensitive to the needs of field researchers as they work to gather data from collared study animals I can provide your research effort a safe, efficient method of airborne data collection. On the ground, with a team of certified WTI associates we can provide excellent tracking courses and workshops designed to prepare you to attain tracker certification under the world recognized CyberTrackerConservation evaluation system, read more at www.cybertracker.org We are also equipped to provide wildlife tracking expertise in planning and research projects. |
Western Tracking Institute
| Western Tracking Institute - All rights reserved. |
| Adriaan Louw Adriaan Louw is a professional wildlife tracker from South Africa and regularly comes to the US to give workshops and lectures. Adriaan is the principal CyberTrackerConservation evaluator in South Africa and he has trained rangers, trackers and guides, his workshops on trailing have been well received in the US and WTI has hosted several. He specializes in trailing dangerous game such as African lions and leopards. Adriaan has worked for ten years in formal conservation including five years at Kruger National Park. |
| Jonah and Ciel Evans Jonah is a Cyber Tracker designated track and sign evaluator and field biologist who administers track and sign evaluations hosted by WTI. Jonah is assisted by his wife Ciel and together they are an impressive team conducting field research, data analyses and track and sign evaluations. You can read more about Jonah and Ciel at www.naturetracking.com. |
| Casey McFarland Casey is a track and sign specialist and CyberTracker evaluator who has appeared at several WTI hosted evaluations. Casey earned his first 100% (earning a track and sign "Specialist" rating) at a San Diego evaluation. He has provided valuable assistance to WTI with a consulting project in the Coachella Valley and we have plans to see him involved in a variety of WTI hosted workshops, evaluations, consulting and research efforts in the future. You can read more about Casey at www.wildlifetrackingsouthwest.com. |
| Mark Elbroch Mark is the author of "Mammal Tracks and Sign, a Guide to North American Species," "Bird Tracks and Sign," "Animal Skulls" and authored the updated version of the Olaus Murie classic "Animal Tracks" from the Peterson Guide Series. Mark has traveled to South Africa several times where he attained his Senior Tracker/Evaluator qualificaton, studying directly under Louis Liebenberg, originator of CyberTrackerConservation and the CyberTrackerConservation evaluation system (www.cybertracker.org). Mark has brought the evaluation system to North America and has conducted several evaluations in San Diego County and elsewhere hosted by WTI. Read more about Mark at www.wildlifetrackers.com. We look forward to hosting Mark in the future whenever his busy graduate school schedule allows. |
| Le Ann Trees Le Ann has taken on the business management aspect of WTI. Le Ann has extensive administrative and organizational skills that are being put to good use with Western Tracking Institute. Le Ann is also very committed to conservation and stewardship of the environment, recognizing the unique roll WTI can play in that regard, she contributes tremendously with her efforts. |
| Administrative Associate |
| Tracking Associates I would like you to meet some my Western Tracking Institute associates. These people are affiliated with WTI as evaluators, instructors, workshop leaders, advisors or assistants. |
| Erik LaCoste Erik is a field biologist in the San Diego area who has been a dedicated WTI student and now holds a level 3 track and sign certification. Erik assists with tracking instruction programs, as well as WTI research and monitoring projects. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |