Citizen Science

Our Project: A Bat's-Eye View of Moorhead

Our goal is to create one of the most detailed acoustic maps of bat activity done in the Midwest. We aim to deploy a high-density grid of approximately 100 AudioMoth recorders across the greater Moorhead area, listening to the night sky from the first signs of spring in March until the bats depart in October.

With this unprecedented level of detail, we can begin to answer key questions:

• Who's Here? Create a complete inventory of bat species living in and passing through our city.

• Where Are They? Map bat "hotspots" to identify critical habitats, travel corridors along the river, and important hunting grounds.

• When Are They Active? Understand the nightly and seasonal rhythms of bat life, from spring emergence to fall migration.

• How Do They Use the City? Learn how different species are affected by urban features like parks, residential gardens, and light pollution.

• Are Their Populations Healthy? Monitor for changes in activity over time that could signal environmental stress or recovery.

• Can we employ Machine Learning to glean more from the data? The vast amount of data collected with provide great feedstock for machine learning algorithms to provide deeper insight into bat activity. 

To our knowledge, a study of this density and scale is a first for the region, promising to yield invaluable insights into the lives of our nocturnal neighbors.

Find Your Way to Join the Night Patrol

There are many ways to contribute to the Concordia Bat Project. Whether you have a few minutes a week or want to dive deep into the technology, there's a role for you. Choose the level of involvement that works best for your schedule and interests.

Be a Host

Perfect for those who have a great location but limited time. You provide the backyard, and we handle all the technology and maintenance.

• Your Role: Provide a safe location for one of our recorders.

• Our Role: A Concordia team member will visit weekly to replace batteries, maintain the device, and upload the data.

Be an Operator

For those who want to get hands-on! We provide the equipment and train you to manage the recorder and the fascinating data you collect.

• Your Role: At your convenience (at least every 10 days), you'll replace batteries and upload the acoustic data.

• Our Role: We provide the recorder and all the training you need to become an expert.

Be an Owner

Take full control of your research. Purchase your own AudioMoth and become a key data provider for the project, managing your station as you see fit.

• Your Role: Purchase, maintain, and share data from your own recorder.

• Our Role: We provide technical support and integrate your findings into our project network.

Be a Sponsor

Want to support our research but don't have a location? You can purchase an AudioMoth recorder as a donation. We'll deploy it in a key location and handle all the logistics in your name.

• Your Role: Donate an AudioMoth to expand our research network.

• Our Role: We manage and maintain the recorder, crediting you with its contribution.

A Community of Discovery

No matter how you participate, you are a vital part of our team. All citizen scientists get full access to our shared data, special invitations to lectures and events, and regular updates on our discoveries.