By Wendi Wu, TTF’s comms person.
In his book Exploring Philly Nature, Bernard “Billy” Brown challenges the idea that nature is something distant—something you have to travel far to find. Like many, he has grown up watching nature documentaries and believed true wildlife existed only in remote forests or vast grasslands, not in cities. But over time, he discovered that Philadelphia’s green spaces are teeming with life.
I couldn’t agree more. Nature isn’t just “out there”—it’s here, woven into our parks, our waterways, even our backyards. And exploring it doesn’t require a road trip. Sometimes, all it takes is a slower pace and a closer look.
(Have you seen this recent post? )
One of the many ways Billy encourages us to explore Philadelphia’s natural spaces is through wildlife tracking. (Watch these videos he talked about beaver signs and animal prints!) It is a simple yet powerful way to engage more deeply with the environment—and one of the most accessible ways to start. Even in urban parks like Tacony Creek Park, wildlife leaves behind clues, waiting to be uncovered. And winter is the perfect season for it!
Tracking—the ancient skill of reading signs left by wildlife—has seen a global resurgence, revealing nature’s hidden life amidst today’s urban settings. In a world of advancing technology, old-school tracking is proving invaluable, as a recent Smithsonian article highlights. Today, people across the globe are rediscovering this prehistoric practice, drawn to its power to connect us with nature and reveal hidden animal lives.
At last October’s Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference in Massachusetts, I joined trackers, biologists, and nature enthusiasts in exploring this practice. The event, organized by Northeast Wildlife Trackers, creates an inclusive space for conservationists across Northeast America, sparking passion and curiosity through workshops and events. Founded in 2008, the organization unites naturalists across the Northeastern U.S. and Canada, helping them hone their skills and deepen their relationship with nature.
CyberTracker’s rich history illustrates how traditional tracking can transform wildlife observation. Merging ancient skills with cutting-edge conservation techniques, it’s now the gold standard across continents, including North America, where it continues to inspire new generations of wildlife observers.
A field walk session analyzing all the intricacies of a bird kill site.
When my friend Joy Wang first invited me to this conference in 2023, I knew almost nothing about wildlife tracking. But after an inspiring weekend, I was captivated by the community’s knowledge and energy, feeling as though I had found my calling. A year later, I arrived excited and full of anticipation, ready to dive even deeper into the experience. Joy’s story, a session highlight and featured in the Field Note section of NWT’s newsletter, was emotionally charged and full of drama. It tells her remarkable experience tracking a red fox family in Millennium Park, a popular urban park in Chicago’s busiest area.
Inspired by her journey, as soon as I returned to Philly, I couldn’t wait to put my new skills into practice. I headed straight to our own Tacony Creek Park to look for signs of our wild neighbor residents. Philadelphia’s green spaces hold hidden stories, and I hope to contribute to bringing the tracking trend home.
If you’re curious about the wildlife tracks and signs spotted in our area, check out the iNaturalist project Greater Philadelphia Animal Tracks to see observations and contribute your own!
Happy Tracking!
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