WILDLIFE CAMERA IN URBAN FOOD GARDEN

The Wildlife Camera project is supported by Dr. Chatterjee, Dr. Jeannette Vaught, and Dr. Evelyn Alvarez, with Dr. Vaught and Dr. Alvarez serving as faculty advisors for the Environmental Justice Club (EJC). Under the leadership of EJC President Natalie Sanchez (Liberal Studies undergraduate) and Vice President Melanie Mondragon (Public Health undergraduate), the club secured funding for a wildlife camera to document the animals that share our garden space. We are especially grateful to Dr. Chatterjee for providing access to the garden for the camera installation.

Wildlife Camera Project

The Environmental Justice Club installed the camera to observe biodiversity and raise awareness at Cal State LA, which is home to coyotes, hawks, raccoons, doves, and more, despite being a student-centered campus. The camera serves as an important tool for collecting data on wildlife and confirming the species observed on campus. On June 27th, the camera was installed to begin tracking the presence of wildlife. This project helps us better understand the ecosystems we are part of and encourages us to appreciate the biodiversity around us.

 

Group Photo for wildcam
Group photo of Natalie Sanchez, Dr. Chatterjee, Dr. Alvarez, and Dr. Vaught.

 

wildlife cam
Photo of the camera set-up, making sure it is low enough to get to the eye level of wildlife for a perfect picture shot.

 

Wildlife Cam Set-up 2
Natalie, the president of the Environmental Justice Club, is setting up the camera alongside Co-advisor Dr. Alvarez.

 

Contact information: 

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ejcsula_

Acknowledgments: 

Dr. Vaught, Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Chatterjee, Natalie Sanchez, and Melanie Mondragon for funding the initiative. 

We use a Browning Trail Camera (BTC-5HDX) to capture photos and videos of wildlife on campus. The camera is motion-activated, takes multiple shots per trigger, and records short videos with sound. Photos include timestamps and GPS info. It runs on batteries, stores images on SD cards, and is checked every 2–4 weeks.

Omnivore Trail Cam

3 Coyote
Three coyotes at the Urban Food Garden. One is standing in the center, looking directly at the camera. A second coyote is visible on the right, with its eyes glowing from the camera flash. The third coyote is on the far left, showing its backside.

Coyote 3
A coyote is seen on the far right of the photograph by the fence, showing its back.

 

Coyote 4
A coyote passing by the garden on the right side in the morning, walking away with its back turned.

 

Coyote 5
Camera relocated to an area with a better view; a coyote is seen passing by, showing the left side of its body

 

Raccoon 1
A raccoon makes its way past the garden.

 

Coyote5.2

 

 

Coyote 6

 

 

Coyote 7
Coyote with back facing the camera; tail shows patchy fur loss near the base, though the lower part remains fully furred.

 

Coyote 8
Coyote appears to be walking towards the entrance of the urban food garden early morning.

 

Coyote 9

 

 

Coyote 10
Clear shot of the coyote's face walking towards the left side of the camera.

Bird Cam

California Dove
California dove captured in a clear shot just before landing on the ground.

Red Shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered hawk is spotted flying away on the far right of the photograph.

 

California Dove2
California dove resting on the ground.

Pollinators Cam

Monarch Butterfly
A monarch butterfly is passing by the plant on the left side of the photograph.

 

We are excited to continue monitoring and sharing new sightings on campus. Keep an eye out for more wild photos to come!