MULTIPLE TRACKING & TRAILING EVENTS: October 31- November 14, 2026
Southwest Online Tracking Training (SWOTT) invites you to participate in their wildlife track & sign workshops and animal trailing workshops and certifications being conducted in the Los Padres National Forest in a quiet river valley, much of it untouched by humans. These two-day field experiences are fun, participatory workshops with an emphasis on learning to identify animal tracks and sign by looking at real tracks we find all across the landscape and discussing exactly how to identify them.
There is a hidden valley in the Los Padres National Forest that many trackers call the very best wildlife tracking and trailing substrate they have ever witnessed outside of Africa. Trackers refer to this valley simply as "Cuyama." Join Wildlife Trackers from all around North America for this annual event in this river valley surrounded by the stunningly beautiful mountains of the Los Padres National Forest. This is one of the most beautiful river valleys and breathtaking tracking locations in North America. Select your choice of THREE Wildlife Programs. Tracking Training & Certifications. Trailing Trainings & Certifications. Info: send inquiries to: swott01@gmail.com
Our story
We are a dedicated team committed to crafting exceptional experiences. Our focus lies in providing reliable and innovative solutions, driven by a deep respect for quality and a genuine desire to exceed expectations.
Our history
From modest beginnings, we've grown through unwavering dedication and a commitment to continuous improvement. Each step has reinforced our core belief in the power of collaboration and the importance of integrity. We're passionate about what we do, and we're excited to share our story with you.
Our story
We are a dedicated team committed to crafting exceptional experiences. Our focus lies in providing reliable and innovative solutions, driven by a deep respect for quality and a genuine desire to exceed expectations.
Our history
From modest beginnings, we've grown through unwavering dedication and a commitment to continuous improvement. Each step has reinforced our core belief in the power of collaboration and the importance of integrity. We're passionate about what we do, and we're excited to share our story with you.
Kim Will Lead Multiple Workshops
- 9/4 9am - 1pm Discover Stomp Trails and Bear Sign (beds, bites) with Kim - RESERVE & DONATE $40
- 9/6 9am - 1pm Eel River Sand Canvas: Decode Animal Stories with Kim - RESERVE & DONATE $40
- 9/9 9am - 1pm Wildlife Revealed: Discover Nature’s Chalkboard with Kim - RESERVE & DONATE $40
- 9/11 9am - 1pm Discover Stomp Trails and Bear Sign (beds, bites) with Kim - RESERVE & DONATE $40
- (repeated from 9/4)
Meet Kim in the Lodge dining room at 8:45am for her workshops. Reservations required.
About Kim
Kim is the creator of bear-tracker.com- the first of it's kind - where viewers can access her extensive collection of photographs and illustrations of wildlife tracks and sign. She is also the founder of the enormously Successful international Facebook tracking group "Animals Don't Cover Their Tracks" (77000 members) and "CyberTracker Specialist Evaluation Study Buddies" (1000 members).
Kim's amazing ability to interpret and see things that others miss has inspired thousands of trackers. She's produced countless helpful videos and vignettes (especially from the Eel River Valley near her home), built an educational website for new trackers. Kim devotes her entire life to this work. Many highly experienced trackers learned volumes from Kim and consider her a legend, and this is my chance to finally meet her in person on her home turf.
Tracking Credentials: CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist in forest and desert biomes. Trailing II from CyberTracker. Illustrator of the book What Walks This Way. Creator of Bear-Tracker Animal Tracks website about animal tracks, the first of its kind. Admin and creator of Animals Don't Cover Their Tracks group on FB. Curator of Bird Tracks and Sign project on iNaturalist. Curator of North American Animal Tracks Database on iNaturalist. Certified Tracker 2 in SAR tracking. Photographer and writer.
Kim is a tracking icon with dual specialist certificates -- a legend in tracking—one of a few women on the planet with dual specialist certificates.
Getting Around the
TrackerGathering website
Roadmap: TrackerGathering website directory
Workshops clinics, presentations and more workshops
Reserve & Register to attend the Tracker Gathering
TCNA Certifications with Matt Nelson
Links for Payments and Donations
FAQ -- Frequently Asked Questions
Calendar of Events
