Photo courtesy of Los Padres ForestWatch.
Los Padres ForestWatch invites the community to discover wildlife tracks and behavior at the Santa Clara River Preserve
SANTA PAULA — Tracks in the mud can reveal far more than what animal passed through. They can tell stories of movement, behavior, feeding, territory, and the hidden rhythms of life along the river.
On Saturday, July 11, Los Padres ForestWatch will host a guided animal tracking walk at the Santa Clara River Preserve, led by certified trackers Martyn LeNoble and Wyatt Harris. Participants will learn how to identify tracks and signs left behind by wildlife native to the greater Los Padres National Forest region and interpret what they reveal about the ecosystem surrounding the Santa Clara River.
During a recent scouting visit, LeNoble and Harris documented tracks and signs from deer, coyote, kangaroo rat, bobcat, gray fox, raccoon, striped skunk, deer mouse, roadrunner, California quail, brown pelican, great blue heron, turkey vulture, mallard, toad, lizard, and more. With lower water levels expected in July, organizers say conditions may be especially favorable for tracking wildlife activity along the river corridor.
“Wildlife is often elusive. Often only giving us a glimpse. Tracking can give us a much deeper look into their lives, their movement and their behaviors when we learn to read the stories their tracks and sign leave on the landscape, ” said LeNoble. “My hope is that people will leave with a deeper sense of connection to the wildlife that share Los Padres National Forest with us.”
LeNoble is certified as a Professional Tracker through Tracker Certification North America, with certifications in both Los Padres and Alberta, Canada, as well as a Level 3 Trailing certification. Based in Topanga, California, he also works as a remote wilderness guide and instructor in the Canadian Rockies.Harris, a lifelong Ojai resident and retired dentist, holds both Professional and Specialist Track and Sign Certifications from Tracker Certification North America and serves as President of Ventura County Wildlife Trackers. He has led long-term wildlife surveys, taught tracking classes for local schools and nonprofits, and mentored aspiring trackers preparing for certification.
“Wildlife tracking invites people to slow down, observe closely, and build a deepe relationship with the natural world,” said Carlo Calderon, Wildlife Programs Coordinator of Los Padres ForestWatch. “This walk is a unique opportunity to experience the Santa Clara River ecosystem through the eyes of skilled trackers while learning more about the incredible biodiversity connected to our local forest.” The event is part three of Forest Academy, ForestWatch’s four-part educational series designed to connect participants with the flora, fauna, and ecosystems of California’s Central Coast through immersive outdoor experiences.
Registration is $40 for ForestWatch members and $50 for non-members, which includes a ForestWatch membership. Additional event details, directions, and suggested reading materials will be provided to registered participants.
Event Details
What: Animal Tracking Adventure
When: Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Santa Clara River Preserve, 1368 Mission Rock Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060
Tickets & Information: https://forestwatch.org/event/animal-tracking-adventure/
About Los Padres ForestWatch — Los Padres ForestWatch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects wildlife, water, wilderness, and sustainable access throughout Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Follow ForestWatch on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky. Learn more at forestwatch.org