Our student:instructor ratio is about 1:1.5. You review our instructors' bios here and their tracker credentials at the "Find A Tracker" tab here.

The course is intended for beginner and intermediate trackers. Applicants who are involved in any aspect of wildlife conservation will receive priority in admission.

Not necessarily. In-person classes offered by top-quality tracking schools provide a much more well-rounded experience. Our classes are primarily designed for individuals who have not yet had the chance to attend such classes. We recommend that interested individuals take a look at the list of tracking schools available at NatureTracking.

No, most of our questions are based on photographs of partial and obscure tracks and require short essay answers. The weekly workload is approximately what you would expect for a 3-unit college class, which is around 8-10 hours of work per week. Students are expected to answer between four and ten exercise questions each week. The instructor assigned to a particular question may ask one or more follow-up questions to guide the student toward the correct answer. The student is expected to respond to all follow-up questions until the instructor is satisfied with their response.

There are multiple tests throughout the class (see the course schedule).

No, we focus on species found in San Diego County because we have thousands of photographic examples of tracks and signs from that area. The methods we use for track and sign identification are applicable to species from any region. Students from the US, Mexico, Canada, and Eastern Europe have attended our course.

Class size is determined by the number of available instructors. The student-to-instructor ratio is typically about 1.5 to 1.

The course schedule for 2027 is here.

We prioritize applicants who are actively contributing to wildlife conservation or who plan to apply track and sign identification to some aspect of wildlife conservation. This contribution can be as simple as being a member of iNaturalist, volunteering at an animal shelter, or participating in beach cleanups. A wide range of activities qualifies. We have found that individuals involved in wildlife conservation tend to be the most serious and dedicated students.

This class focuses on careful observation and objective comparison of the track features of various species to reach a conclusion in track and sign identification. It is highly analytical. We do not teach any particular "tricks" for identifying tracks. Instead, we teach students how to use multi-factor analysis to identify tracks and signs. We have found that this approach is the most effective for developing strong track and sign identification skills.

The effectiveness of tracking and sign identification skills is difficult to predict. Students who complete the course sequence will develop the ability to use multi-factor analysis for identifying tracks and signs. However, it’s essential for students to enhance their learning with practical experience in the field. Those who are most passionate and consistently take the initiative to practice tracking in real-world settings tend to become the best trackers, regardless of whether they take our class. Our course serves to accelerate this learning phase for motivated individuals. As of this writing, all alumni from the course sequence who participated in Cybertracker evaluations have successfully earned Cybertracker Track & Sign Certificates.

Students who complete all assigned exercises and achieve a passing score on the final comprehensive test will receive a completion certificate. Those who obtain a completion certificate can request an observer account annually. This account allows them to view future class operations and access course materials for free. However, the completion certificate itself does not hold any official recognition in the field of tracking. It serves as a testament to the student's dedication and effort in completing the course sequence.

Southwest Wildlife Online Tracking Training hosts Cybertracker evaluations on a regular basis. At the time of this writing, all alumni who have participated in Cybertracker evaluations have received a Track & Sign certificate from Cybertracker.

Class tuition is $400. This tuition fee is used to cover operating costs, reimburse event assistants, and provide financial support for disadvantaged students. It also helps subsidize Cybertracker evaluations and tracking workshops for our graduates. Instructors donate their time and expertise and do not receive any financial compensation, aside from some reimbursement for travel expenses.

Southwest Wildlife Online Tracking Training will defray of tuition for any deserving student for whom the cost would be too burdensome.

The 2027 class begins on January 4. The schedule is here.

Apply by email to

Please include the following information:

• Your name
• Email address
• A description of your experience and/or intentions related to tracking and wildlife conservation.

The tuition refund deadline for each class is November 30 of the year prior to class commencement.