Two days of fieldwork in Civago (RE) in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park to learn how to interpret nature through the signs of wildlife. Together with Dr. Cecilia Molinari of @trackwildandwise, an expert in wildlife and the human dimension, we will learn not only to recognize tracks but also to interpret them to reconstruct the events behind the animals' movements, seeking to interpret the landscape as an ever-evolving narrative.
We will work on tracks, trails, and other signs of presence, such as tracks, markings, and scrapes, focusing on gaits and movement patterns to understand which animals passed by, how, and why they moved.
This will be followed by a brief in-depth study of the biology and ethology of the main Apennine species, providing valuable tools for interpreting the evidence found in the area and constructing coherent and reliable readings. The course will conclude with an introduction by Daniele Ecotti, president of Io non ho paura del lupo, to non-invasive monitoring techniques using photo and video traps, including in-depth information on site selection, positioning, basic settings, and best practices for collecting useful data while respecting the animals and the environment. Helpful teaching materials for identifying tracks, trails, and gaits will be provided. Upon completion, a PDF certificate of participation will be issued and AIGAE training credits will be awarded.
5 and 6 September 2026
Civago (RE) – Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park
RECIPIENTS
Open to all, without specific prerequisites
FEE
€ 200,00
€170,00 Members of I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf and AIGAE in good standing with their 2026 annual membership
The price does not include meals, travel, or accommodations. However, it does include course materials and a certificate of participation, which will be sent via email in PDF format within one month of the course's conclusion.
PARTICIPANTS:
min. 8 – max 14
REGISTRATION CLOSES BY
15 days from the start date
AIGAE TRAINING CREDITS
YES – Recognized training credits: 5
INFORMATION
campi@iononhopauradellupo.it
SATURDAY:
9.30 am Introduction to the course
9.45 am
- Animal tracking: applications, investigation methodology
- Mammal leg anatomy
- Elements of footprint transformation
- Tracks and tracks: examples of Apennine mammals
11.00 am Coffee break
11.20
- Excrement and pellets: a comparison
- Dens, beds and holes
- Insogli, fregoni, scratchers and scrapers
- Power signs
- Generic remains: antlers, hairs, feathers
- Data collection: tracking kit, photographs, field notebook, expert consultation
- Recommended bibliography
- Good etiquette with wildlife and pets
13.00 pm lunch break
14.30pm Exit onto the field
- Environmental interpretation,
- trace analysis
- interpretation and recognition of signs of presence
- Wildlife watching session
19.30pm End of the day and for those who wish, a convivial dinner at the Albergo Val Dolo
SUNDAY:
6.00am optional for those who want to observe wildlife at dawn
9.30
- 6 tips for maintaining a track
- Simple tracking, systematic tracking, speculative tracking
- Gait: direct register walk, stalk walk (understep), 2×2 walk, direct register trot, side trot,
- straddle trot, lopes, bound, gallop (general, no further discussion of traverse and rotation)
- Distinguishing hind and front prints with field markers
11.00 am Coffee break
11.30
- Notes on the ethological biology of the main mammals present
- Ethics, respect and distance in the approach to natural environments and fauna
- Photo-video trapping: types of equipment, operation, power supply, choice of suitable tools, choice of positioning sites, ethics and disturbance, regulations, purposes
13.00 pm Exit with packed lunch
- Environmental interpretation
- Analysis of traces and signs of presence (we will put into practice what we learned in the classroom)
- Testing of photo-video trap positioning.
19.00 pm Course closes
The course program may be subject to change, at the organizers' discretion, based on weather conditions and other contingencies.
Daniel Ecotti
Founding member and President
Environmental Hiking Guide – Environmental Educator
AIGAE ER940
Cecilia Molinari
Environmental Hiking Guide – Environmental Educator
Naturalist – Master in Fauna & Human Dimension
trackwildandwise
AssoGuide ASG1407
SUGGESTED STRUCTURES:
Hotel Valdolo (Course location)
Ronfrapano27 B&B
B&B at Aunt Bebbi's
B&B Il Mulino
It's recommended to bring a backpack, a water bottle (at least 1 liter), layered clothing appropriate for the season, hiking boots with treaded soles, and a waterproof or rain jacket. Also helpful, though not essential, are binoculars and a camera, a blanket to sit on, and a notebook. It's best to wear dark, unobtrusive clothing to reduce visibility.
Registered participants will receive further information and details about clothing and logistics by email.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The event will take place once the minimum number of participants is reached. It will continue even in the event of rain, except in exceptional weather conditions, in which case we reserve the right to cancel. A full refund will be given if cancellation is made within 60 days of the event start date or if the cancellation is due to reasons attributable to the organizers. Alternatively, the fee is non-refundable but can be used to pay for other I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf events.
Minors must be accompanied by at least one adult.
The program may be subject to change based on circumstances and weather conditions. The course fee does not include meals, accommodations, travel expenses, or personal expenses.