Monitoring Urban Wildlife in Portland, Oregon: 2024 Results from Wildlife Camera Data

Gathering data on wildlife presence in urban environments is critical for understanding the impact of habitat management actions and land use change, habitat connectivity opportunities, and wildlife response to a changing climate. In 2024, the Portland chapter of the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN) monitored wildlife across 26 locations using motion-activated wildlife cameras deployed throughout the metropolitan area. This effort documented species presence and activity across a range of urban land uses and green spaces. Using standardized UWIN monitoring protocols, camera data revealed detections of 37 bird and 16 mammal species across Portland sites, highlighting spatial and temporal variation in wildlife use of urban habitats. These 2024 detections provide opportunity for assessing species distribution, seasonal activity, and site-level habitat use within the city. As part of the broader UWIN collaborative, Portland’s data contributes to an international database designed to examine wildlife responses to urbanization at local, regional, and global scales. The Portland UWIN has been active since 2018 and has grown, adding camera locations across the region. These data support future analyses of animal movement patterns while building investment through volunteer community science efforts. Continued monitoring will allow for long-term analyses that will improve our ability to identify trends in wildlife presence and diversity, and inform habitat management, urban planning, and conservation strategies that promote cohabitation between humans and wildlife.