Critter Cam

Our remote wildlife camera program

The Critter Cam program conducts research in remote areas to help guide our land conservation efforts. We place cameras throughout the Upper San Diego River Watershed to document wildlife movement so that key places wildlife depend upon can be protected. The cameras are managed by a staff scientist in partnership with an amazing group of dedicated volunteers.

A cougar walks along a rocky dirt path in the San Diego River Valley

Program Goals

The Critter Cam has three primary goals:

Identify key properties for conservation
Assist with preserve management activities
Support wildlife research

How our program works

Currently we have 11 cameras deployed in open spaces within the upper San Diego River Watershed.

There are 5 cameras that are cell-ready. They use a cell phone signal to send us images as they come in. By receiving photos several times each day we know right away about wildlife movement as well as issues such as trespassing. We share the best photos with our Facebook Group as well as wildlife agencies and researchers. Even thought these cameras are cell-ready, we still need to visit them on a regular basis for maintenance and to recover higher quality images.

There are 6 other cameras, that aren't cell-ready. Our amazing Critter Cam team visits these cameras to recover images and conduct maintenance activities on a frequent basis.

To date we have recorded 1000s of critters including cougar, badger, deer, gray fox, and bobcat.

Tall grass, trees, and foliage with mountains in the background at the South Rim

Volunteers work to restore land along the banks of the San Diego River

Critter cameras inform our land acquisition and conservation efforts

By setting cameras on lands we own, we can better understand where animals, especially large mammals, move. This knowledge helps advance our understanding of the range of these animals, as well as the wildlife corridors through which they move, and guides our conservation actions.

When we identify an area as important for wildlife, we work to purchase privately owned open spaces in that area that are available for sale. Once we acquire these properties we can ensure that the land is protected and conserved with wildlife in mind.

Additionally, knowing how and when animals move can help us to adjust recreation and land management activities to protect these amazing critters. We work to remove barriers to movement such as old unused cattle fencing, and focus restoration areas to provide "cover" for wildlife to move through.

Support the Critter Cam program

Your gift of $10 or more will go a long way in helping wildlife. You can support the program with a one-time or monthly gift.

Other ways to donate

Mail your donation

The San Diego River Park Foundation
4891 Pacific Highway, Suite 114
San Diego, CA 92110
Please indicate in memo: Critter Cam

Donate over the phone

By Phone: call our office at 619-297-7380 and we can take your credit card information over the phone and answer questions.

Venmo

Send a Venmo to @sandiegoriver

As a 501(c)3 public benefit nonprofit, your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law. We will send you a donation receipt for your records. EIN 01-0565671.
Questions? Call 619-297-7380 or email us.

Camera Sponsorship:

$200 One Year Camera Sponsorship or $17 per month - 1 Available

$350 One Year Cell-Serviced Camera Sponsorship or $29 per month - 4 Available

Sponsor a wildlife camera for one year. You will be invited by the Camera Team to join them as they hike to your camera. If you prefer, you can join in on the hike by ZOOM, meet program staff and see a wildlife camera.

Sponsors also receive special photos that your camera has taken directly from the program staff.

Note: some cameras are in remote places without cell coverage. So ZOOM isn't available for those, but you will be able to "ZOOM" in to a nearby camera.

The Camera Crew goes to the camera on a regular basis to download images. It can be a thrilling opportunity to see the photos first and you are invited to join. Most camera locations require hiking on remote trails. If you prefer, let us know and we can see if a camera is available with easier access. Use the PayPal button above and enter a $200 or $350 donation or sign-up for a $20 or $30 per month donation.

Become a volunteer

Interested in volunteering on the camera team? Volunteers that support this program can help sort through the hundreds of images we capture, service cameras in the field, and catalogue data.

With staff overseeing the program and utilizing the talents and passion of a team of volunteers, this program operates on a budget of just over $10,000 per year.

Special thanks to our Program Sponsor: Chip Owen

From the earliest days, Chip has been an incredible supporter of this program!
Thanks Chip!

Do you have questions about our wildlife cameras program? Contact Natalie by email.