Conservation staff deploy intern trail-camera study; cameras helped ID Camp Nekon vandalism

Assistant Conservation Agent Georgianna Minenna told the Open Space Committee that an intern will set trail cameras on conservation properties “to assess mammal, particularly carnivore, diversity” and add observations to iNaturalist.

Conservation Agent Matt Penella said camera management poses challenges — batteries need frequent replacement and some cameras send photos directly to his phone — but staff intend to keep cameras out of sight where possible. Penella said the intern will note any illicit human activity captured on cameras. "The goal of the project is to add any observations to iNaturalist, building on a previous intern’s project," Penella said.

Penella described a recent enforcement outcome: "the cameras took photos of someone removing the post and rail fence at Camp Nekon a few weeks ago. The Kingston Police Department was able to use the photos to identify the person and have them pay to fix the fence." He told the committee those department and Environmental Protection Officer efforts have reduced destructive activity at Camp Nekon.

The committee discussed storage and access to images and how to balance monitoring with protecting equipment from theft or damage. Members asked where photos will be stored and whether images can be used to document unwanted human activity; Penella said some cameras currently send photos to his phone and the department will record incidents the intern documents. The committee did not take a formal vote on storage or data-retention policy at this meeting.