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Project Overview
This page is under development- keep checking back for more information on the project!
American badgers (Taxidea taxus) are an important but understudied part of Washington’s shrub-steppe ecosystems. Despite their presence and ecological significance, we know relatively little about where they occur, how they use different habitats, and how common they are.
We are launching a project in 2027 to improve our understanding of badgers in Washington's shrub-steppe and develop reliable methods for detecting them. By combining remote cameras, detection dogs, and community observations, we aim to collect preliminary data on badger occurrence and habitat use while establishing a foundation for continued research.
As part of this research and because badgers can be difficult to detect, we are collecting observations from community members to better understand where badgers occur across the landscape. If you've seen a badger, burrow, tracks, or other signs of badger activity, please submit your observation by clicking the button below. Your report will help shape research and conservation efforts for this important species. Thank you!
Note: if you are having nuisance or conflict issues with badgers, please report these occurrences to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: WILDCOMM@dfw.wa.gov ☎️ 360-902-2936
Study Area
The map below shows all of the shrub-steppe in Okanogan County as identified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Our study area is inside the dashed line and includes the majority of shrub-steppe with the exception of the Colville Indian Reservation.
Project Objectives
Objective 1. Develop and refine methods for detecting American badgers.
Objective 2. Collect preliminary data on badger occurrence and habitat use across the study area to inform future research and conservation.
Objective 3. Build a foundation for long-term badger monitoring in Washington’s shrub-steppe.
Research Activities
Community observations
We’re collecting reports of badger sightings, tracks, scat, and burrows that provide valuable local information to help inform our study design. Have you seen a badger or its sign? Report your observation at the top or bottom of this page.
Remote Cameras
Beginning in spring 2027, we’ll deploy remote cameras across shrub-steppe, grassland, and agricultural habitats to document badger activity and learn where they occur.
Detection dog surveys
We’ll work with specially trained detection dogs to locate badger scat. Genetic and diet analyses of collected samples may help us identify individual animals and learn more about what they eat.
Data analysis and continued monitoring
We’ll analyze data collected during the project and share our findings with wildlife managers and conservation partners, The methods developed will help guide continued data collection beyond the initial two-year project.
As part of this research and because badgers can be difficult to detect, we are collecting observations from community members to better understand where badgers occur across the landscape. If you've seen a badger, burrow, tracks, or other signs of badger activity, please submit your observation by clicking the button below. Your report will help shape research and conservation efforts for this important species. Thank you!
Note: if you are having nuisance or conflict issues with badgers, please report these occurrences to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: WILDCOMM@dfw.wa.gov ☎️ 360-902-2936
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