The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is collaborating with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to collect monitoring data through a recreation survey in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area. Our pilot survey will collect observations from the public to learn more about wildlife disruptions from recreational impacts. A goal of this recreation survey and the resulting data is to serve as a learning experience for all about how to respectfully recreate with wildlife. The data will support planning for forest stewardship activities that are mindful of wildlife disruption impacts from recreational activities.

Our Guiding Question: What types of wildlife disruptions occur in response to recreation in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Wild Scenic River corridor, and how is it changing over time? 

Types of Wildlife Disruption:  

Trail / Habitat avoidance  

Direct impacts to habitat (removal of forage, erosion, etc.)  

Habituation to human food sources (food-conditioning)  

Flushing responses

Direct encounters

Death (interactions with dogs, vehicle collisions, stress response)

Participatory Research Opportunity: We encourage you to take this survey each time you recreate in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area. The best way to take this survey is to submit your observations soon after you are done recreating. Feel free to take it once you get home or a few days after, but your memory may start to fog. Please submit your email address to enter a raffle for a STALM tie-dye shirt or supporter sign! 

Data Validation: The Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement hosts the survey platforms, and the data will be reviewed in partnership with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This year, field staff will also complete random sampling and take the survey ourselves while we recreate in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area. 

Outcomes: This data collection effort will be used to inform potential management strategies in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to reduce the impacts of human recreation on wildlife habitat along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Wild and Scenic Rivers, targeting our efforts where there are the greatest needs and greatest opportunities for impact. Listed below are examples of how this data might be used to inform, improve, and adopt new management strategies to improve wildlife-recreation coexistence: 

Wildlife Disturbance Caused by Dogs:

Improve how field rangers approach educating visitors about the impacts of dogs, especially off-leash, on wildlife.

Gather relevant data to support efforts to increase and improve signage at trailheads, campgrounds, and other adjacent facilities and provide similar information on the MBS NF website, social media accounts, and other sources of information for visiting public.

Inform approaches to establishing and enforcing leash requirements on trails and potentially across all river sections.

Unsecured Food and Garbage:

Monitor effectiveness of food storage order and prohibition against feeding wildlife.

Improve how field rangers approach educating visitors about proper food and garbage storage along with other conflict-avoidance measures.

Gather relevant data to support efforts to increase and improve signage at trailheads and other adjacent facilities and provide similar information on the MBS NF website, social media accounts, and other sources of information for visiting public.

Determine potential locations to install IGBC-approved bear-resistant food lockers and trash cans wherever feasible. For backcountry locations, consider other methods and means to encourage proper storage (i.e., bear hangs, bear cans).

Inform approaches towards implementing temporary or permanent campsite closures and/or relocation where there are natural food sources or other habitat features that naturally attract wildlife.