Cascades Wolverine Project supports wolverine recovery in the Washington Cascades, connecting science, storytelling, and recreation for the benefit of people and wildlife.
Background: Biologists seek to answer basic questions about wolverine ecology in the Cascades, such as distribution, abundance, and habitat relations. But the intrepid Gulo gulo is notoriously difficult to study due to the remote and rugged terrain they inhabit. Blending skills from science, alpine recreation, conservation, and storytelling, our team collects valuable occupancy data, and engages those who share the mountains with wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. In collaboration with WDFW and USFS biologists, Conservation Northwest, Woodland Park Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, and with support from Patagonia and individual donations.
Stephanie Williams, is a mountain guide and field biologist, two complimentary fields that inspired her to co-found the Cascades Wolverine Project in 2017. Steph has over a decade of experience in field science, and two decades in the outdoor industry. She holds a BSc in biology, and is a professional member of the American Mountain Guides Association. She is happiest in wild places, exploratory skiing and climbing, especially with her husband, Drew Lovell. The Gulo is a perennial source of inspiration.
Photographer, wildlife tracker, field biologist, and co-founder David Moskowitz spearheads the photography for the project and its interface with Conservation Northwest’s ongoing citizen science efforts in the region. David has produced film and authored three books: Caribou Rainforest, Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, and Wolves in the Land of Salmon. He enjoys long mountain runs, alpine climbing, and backcountry skiing.
Drew Lovell is a ski guide and avalanche forecaster in the North Cascades, as well as the Alaskan Wrangell-St.Elias region. Educated as a geologist at the University of Montana, Drew has previous experience as a field biologist and currently works as a mountain guide in the non-winter season. For the Gulo team, at work in the formidable North Cascades winter environment, Drew offers expertise with local snowpack, weather, and terrain, and a willingness to fill a backpack with heavy loads, from carcasses to camera equipment.
Project coordinator Claire (Cal) Waichler is a conservation educator, environmental scientist and artist from the North Cascades. Since graduating with a BA in Environmental Science from Colby College, Cal has taught conservation science and led field work in Chilean Patagonia and the American West for students ranging from elementary to college age. She now manages camera trap data, plans outreach events, and coordinates other efforts of the Cascades Wolverine Project. Cal finds joy encountering wild flora and fauna throughout the North Cascades on her feet and skis.
Anna Machowicz is co-founder and Education Director of Home Range Wildlife Research. Her background as a wildlife biologist includes work with numerous rare carnivore species including wolf, lynx, and the ever elusive wolverine. As the only member of the CWP team who would prefer to be on a snowmobile rather than skis, Anna assists with field equipment logistics and is currently working as a scientist on our observer reliability project.
Peter Lambert spent a decade as a field ecologist, kayak guide, outdoor educator and facilitator of Rights of Passage for youth.
He currently runs a construction business in Vancouver, but assuages his guilty heart by helping Cascades Wolverine Project with technology and data management. #SaveTheWolverine!
The team is regularly assisted in the field by community scientists with field skills for the winter mountain environment and a passion for winter and wolverines.
Our work: Based in the Methow Valley of Washington, our team installs and maintains remote winter camera-trapping stations in the North Cascades that contribute to ongoing monitoring and conservation. We produce visual storytelling through photography, film, maps, trailhead signs, talks and events. We spearhead community science for winter recreationalists. Our aim is to ensure wolverines recover and persist in the Pacific Northwest.
Land Acknowledgement: Cascades Wolverine Project’s direct study area on the eastern slopes of the North Cascades falls within the traditional territories of several indigenous peoples, most prominently the Methow and Chelan tribes, both members of the Colville Confederated Tribes. These people stewarded these mountains for hundreds of generations until they were forcibly removed from their homeland in the late 1800’s. We are truly grateful to have the opportunity to work on these amazing lands and are actively working to ensure our work respects and supports their sovereignty and perspectives.
We need your support! Donations to Cascades Wolverine Project are the only way we can continue this effort. Please consider donating to keep eyes on the Gulo gulo, spirit animal of the alpine.
