SoCal
Tracking
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The San Diego Tracking Team Presents
East San Diego County Desert and Mountains
2 Standard Certifications
& 2 Specialist Certifications
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Dates TBD: early DECEMBER, 2026
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contact us to be notified FIRST
when the dates are determined...
(use the contact form at the bottom of this page)
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The San Diego Tracking Team (SDTT) invites you to participate in one of two Standard Wildlife Track and Sign workshops being conducted in the San Diego mountains and desert. These two-day field experiences are fun, participative workshops with an emphasis on learning to identify animal track and sign by looking at real tracks we find across the landscape and discussing exactly how to identify them. Additionally, for advanced Trackers, the San Diego tracking team is planning two specialist certifications in early December immediately following the Thanksgiving weekend,.
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THE SAN DIEGO TRAINING WAS
FEATURED IN THE SMTHSONIAN MAGAZINE
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Each certification is limited to eleven participants. We are bringing in one of the top tracking instructors and evaluators in the United States, Marcus Reynerson, a highly experienced Track and Sign Education and a gentle, wonderful teacher and mentor. In the photo Marcus points out gray fox track diagnostic field marks. Casey McFarland will join Marcus for the Specialist Certs.
The standard certification is also a wonderful training that emphasizes the development of reliable field skills to recognize tracks and identify the animal's behavior. No prior tracking is required to participate but preparation and prior experience is extremely helpful for those for whom obtaining a certificate is important. The underlying impetus, however, lies in the rich educational benefit for all participants.
When is the last time you've had the experience of seeing animal tracks and wondered what animal was there? Was it a dog or a mountain lion? A bobcat or a fox? Where was it going? What was it doing.... and where is it now?
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If you would like to have the skill to be able to see and interpret wild animal sign that is invisible to "normal people", we invite you to participate in this one-of-a-kind immersive field training: The TCNA Standard Certification.
This two-full-day field experience in the East San Diego County Desert and Mountains will immerse you in the art and skill of reading the hidden stories of animals by examining the clues they leave across the landscape. You'll discover how to see and interpret animal behavior that was previously "invisible" to you.
What to Expect
Two Full Days of Hands-on Track and Sign Field Training
THE WILDLIFE TRACKING
EDUCATION AND
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Sponsored by: The San Diego Tracking Team (SDTT)
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OUR SAN DIEGO TRAINING WAS FEATURED PROMINENTLY IN THE SMTHSONIAN MAGAZINE
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If you’re not familiar with the international organizations of CyberTracker or Tracking Certification North America (TCNA ) certifications and evaluations, we urge you to peruse this link to gain an understanding of the depth and value of this immersive method type of track and sign training. SDTT is organizing these trainings to further their skills in state-of-the-art track-and-sign training available no where else in the world.
​​The entire weekend consists of field training. Our classroom is the outdoors. Our teachers are the animals themselves. Our instructor finds animal track and sign, then a dialogue ensues between the instructor and participants to provide the opportunity for everyone involved to internalize field marks and interpret wildlife behavior. The learning retention is unparalleled.
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The training emphasizes the development of reliable field skills. No prior training is required to participate. The less you know, the more more you will learn. The Smithsonian Magazine brilliantly explains the process through the eyes of a participant.
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Learn more about the TCNA instructors: the best trackers in North America: TCNA instructors
Learn about other track and sign trainings in the Southwest USA and all around North America.
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"An Amazing Experience"
“Tracking with Marcus is an amazing experience because it is so much more than walking around looking for tracks. Marcus knows how to look at a the landscape with acute awareness, knowing exactly where the animals have gone and the certain behaviors one might see. Watching him work will inspire anyone to become a wildlife tracker, to learn about the natural world in a unique way."
- Rachel Bishop, WRI Community Education Lead
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Workshop Leader Marcus Reynerson
Marcus Reynerson has worked in wilderness education, outdoor leadership and conservation for numerous organizations and communities across North America and Europe. Marcus lives in the Snoqualmie Valley in Washington State, just east of Seattle, where he has called home the last 17 years. He served for 17 years as the Lead Instructor for an internationally renowned environmental leadership immersion program for adults at the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, WA.
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Learn more about Marcus and the other TCNA instructors who were featured in The Smithsonian Magazine.
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Training Locations &
Recommended Accommodations
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WORKSHOP LOCATION: The training will be held in the East San Diego County Desert and Mountains centered around the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Past locations include Scissors Crossing, Grapevine Canyon, Warner Springs, Lake Morena, Volcan Mountain and the Laguna Mountains. The exact location of the workshop will be wherever our workshop leader - after a day or two of scouting - believes will yield the best tracking experience. The starting location will be announced the evening before the workshop begins.
ACCOMMODATIONS: In light of the fact that the workshop (and the prep day) is targeted around Borrego Springs and the Cuyamaca and Laguna mountains, we recommend camping in Anza Borrego Desert State Park near Borrego Springs or renting accommodations in Borrego Springs We recommend the Borrego Springs Resort, the Borrego Springs Motel or Stanlund's Inn - all listed on Booking.com. There are many other accommodations around Borrego Springs listed on AirBnB, Booking.com and VRBO.
CAMPING: Dry camping is free anywhere in Anza Borrego Desert State Park (1,000 square miles of desert wilderness). Two improved State Park Campgrounds are near the town of Borrego Springs: Borrego Palm Canyon (hookups and electric) and Tamarisk Grove (restrooms, no hookups). There are also many commercial campgrounds in Borrego Springs. We recommend Glorietta Canyon, Pinyon Wash and Inspiration Wash... all will pop up on a Google Search with the canyon name and Anza Borrego Desert. Hookup camping is available at a plethora of campgrounds when you search "Camping at Anza Borrego Desert" or "Campgrounds Borrego Springs"
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Learn about other track and sign trainings in the Southwest USA and all around North America.
tuition
questions
registration
wait list
refund & cancel policy
contact us
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​​TUITION FOR THE STANDARD CERT:
SAN DIEGO TRACKING TEAM (SDTT) MEMBERS:
The tuition for the Standard Certification 2-day workshop for SDTT (San Diego Tracking Team) members, donors and volunteers is $395
NON-SDTT-MEMBERS: Tuition: $425 ​
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"Early Bird Special"
If you register prior to July 1, 2026, you may take advantage of the early bird special:
Members: $345
Non-SDTT members: $395 ​
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TUITION FOR THE SPECIALIST CERT:
The tuition for the Specialist Certification 2-day workshop for SDTT (San Diego Tracking Team) members, donors and volunteers is $545.
Standard Cert
Free "Prep Days"
Members of the San Diego Tracking Team will lead registrants on a free "Prep Day" to help familiarize you with our unique desert & mountain habitats. The prep day takes place on the day prior to the STANDARD certification. Time 8am until about 1pm... giving you a total of 3 days of expert tracking instruction.
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QUESTIONS?
Please email the SDTT workshop coordinator Terry Hunefeld by using the "contact us" form at the bottom of this page.
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TO REGISTER
STEP ONE: First, make sure there is a spot available for the event you would like to attend by using the "contact us" form at the bottom of this page. Leave your name, city of residence, phone and the date of the event you wish to attend and we'll respond - usually within 1-3 hours - but certainly within 20 hours.
STEP TWO: When you receive a response from our workshop coordinator clearing you to register, you will register by paying the applicable tuition via Venmo or PayPal (see below).
STEP THREE: After paying by Venmo or PayPal, please email a copy of your payment receipt to our workshop coordinator. SDTT is an all volunteer organization, and the only way the workshop coordinator knows you paid is by a copy.
STEP FOUR: Stand by for confirmation that you are registered, paid and enrolled - usually within an hour or two. The workshp coordinator will follow up with more information as the event draws nearer. Meanwhile, feel free to submit any questions using the contact form below.
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PAYMENT
Make your payment by Venmo or PayPal:
VENMO: SanDiego-TrackingTeam (final 4 of phone number 4102). PAYPAL: SDTT92150
Payment by check can be arranged if absolutely necessary but Venmo is preferred and PayPal second preferred because we are all SDTT volunteers. Checks are a hassle for volunteer groups as many individuals need to be involved. Electronic payment directly into the SDTT account makes it easier for everyone and creates a permanent and easily-accessible record.
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WAITING LIST
If the event you wish to join is sold out, please contact Terry by using the "contact us" form at the bottom of this page and request to be placed on the waiting list. If you're on the wait list and we have a cancellation, we will contact you (there is no obligation or cost to be on the wait list).
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​​​​​​​Standard Certification Refund & Cancel Policy
First, PLEASE read the next section about trip insurance. It's inexpensive and saves you the sting of an emergency cancellation. We urge you to obtain trip insurance (see below).
Our cancel policy is:
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90+ days before your event: 100% refund less a $100 cancel fee IF you or we can find a replacement. We will maintain a waiting list. Should your spot go unfilled, you will receive a 75% credit toward a San Diego track and sign certification in December 2027.
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89-0 days before your event: No refunds . You will receive a 75% credit towards the December 2027 TCNA Standard Certification IF you or we call fill your spot.
Cash refunds or credits are given only if you or we (we will maintain a waiting list) find someone to take your place. In the highly unlikely event of program cancelation, 100% of your deposit will be refunded.
To ask any questions about this workshop or request other payment arrangements, please contact the SDTT workshop coordinator Terry Hunefeld by using the "contact us" form below.
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Specialist Certification Refund & Cancel Policy
First, PLEASE read the next section about trip insurance. It's inexpensive and saves you the sting of an emergency cancellation. We urge you to obtain trip insurance (see below).
The Specialist cancel policy is 100% refund less a $75 cancel fee IF you find a replacement. We will maintain a waiting list.
Cash refunds or credits are given only if you find someone to take your place.
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Trip Insurance $23.04
We urge you to obtain trip insurance to avoid the sting of losing your tuition fees in the event "life comes up" and you must cancel. Finding trip insurance is simple on the internet - there are many excellent companies. A good site recommended by Forbes offers you multiple options: Travelinsurance.com. A search in September 2024 resulted in $500 of coverage for only $23.04.
Should you choose not to be protected by trip insurance, please ensure you understand our cancel policy. -- The San Diego Tracking Team
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Contact Us
The San Diego
Tracking Team
The San Diego Tracking Team (SDTT) is dedicated to preserving wildlife habitat in the San Diego region through citizen-based wildlife monitoring and environmental education programs.
Since 1996 the SDTT has conducted wildlife track and sign surveys and trainings to evaluate the health of key species,
At least annually we contract with Tracker Certification of North America to conduct 2-day certification workshops for our members and the public because they are the most powerful wildlife trainings available anywhere in the world - designed to equip participants with real-life tracking and wild-life interpretation skills. No matter what your experience level, you will benefit enormously from this training.
Learn about other track and sign trainings in the Southwest USA and all around North America.
"Learning to interpret animal track and
sign is like wearing magic glasses...
you can see exactly what the animal was doing."