Certification Workshops

Next events coming mid-April 2026

Tracker Certifications emphasize practical tracking and the development of reliable field skills, and they transform the way we see the wild world. No prior training is required to participate.

April 2026 Certification Events with Matt Nelson

Matt Nelson is a Track & Sign Evaluator and Senior Tracker with CyberTracker Conservation, specializing in developing wildlife tracking and field skills. With a deep-rooted passion for naturalism, Matt trains biologists, students, and employees from state, federal, and tribal agencies, as well as the general public, to accurately interpret wildlife sign and behavior.

His work spans a wide range of conservation and research projects, including mountain lion studies in North America, carnivore tracking programs in Wisconsin, and efforts with the Saola Foundation to train trackers in the mountains of Laos, to locate rare species. In addition, Matt has contributed to numerous environmental initiatives, such as steelhead and salmon surveys with the Gualala River Watershed Council, hog removal efforts for UC Berkeley, and forestry projects aimed at identifying wildlife trees.

Known for his practical expertise and dedication to field-based learning, Matt helps others hone their skills in tracking, ensuring the future of wildlife conservation and management. Whether in search and rescue, research, or ecological restoration, Matt’s diverse experience makes him a respected leader in the field of wildlife tracking.

Interested in attending a Track & Sign or Trailing event with Matt? Complete the survey to share your availability and help us set the dates.

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What to expect on a Track & Sign certification program:

Two full days in the field exploring locations rich with wildlife sign, in the company of others interested in deepening their awareness of wildlife on the landscape.
A community of beginner through advanced trackers, ready to learn from each other's perspectives in a supportive environment.
An invitation to examine 56 track or sign questions and consider them individually before you discuss all of the possible interpretations as a group. It's an opportunity to develop your observation and interpretation skills rather than simply relying on someone else to share the "correct answer."
Instruction from one of the most skilled wildlife trackers and facilitators in the country, with decades of experience in the field.
You will walk away understanding which features of each track or sign can lead to a definitive ID, plus what the sign tells us about the animal's behavior and ecology.
An opportunity to earn a Level I through Level IV (Professional) Track & Sign Certificate from CyberTracker North America.

The CyberTracker Track & Sign Certification is an internationally-applied, professional-level training process used to promote wildlife tracking and ecological knowledge. The process is designed to give each participant the opportunity to personally investigate each track or sign found before the group discusses it at length. This creates intensive levels of concentration, balanced by fun, open, and entertaining discussions that engage the group in an unforgettable exploration of animal behavior, physiology, and ecology. This combination has proven to be a wildly effective method to immediately enhance an individual's knowledge, and their ability to accurately interpret tracks and sign on their own.

Visit Tracker Certification's Story Map to learn more.