Nongame Wildlife

Background:  Unfortunately, bats are facing many challenges throughout their range. Understanding where they live and forage in Minnesota helps us learn more about their population status and informs conservation actions. Recording bat vocalizations (made while they are echolocating) with audio recorders is an effective method to collect data on Minnesota’s bats. Collecting this information will help us learn where bats live and forage for insects. This is especially true for migratory bat species that are solitary, high flying and otherwise difficult to study. 

Purpose: The Minnesota Bat Echo Locators project is designed to monitor bat distribution by placing stationary ultrasonic audio recorders in bat habitat to record bat calls.

Desired outcomes: Volunteer participants learn to use ultrasonic recorders in the field, how to identify bat foraging habitat, and how to collect data according to a standardized protocol.

Impact: Data collected through this project documents:

1. Where bats are living and foraging throughout Minnesota
2. Migratory bat species that are difficult to observe
3. How bat populations and relative activity of species are changing over time

Responsibilities:

1. Apply to become a Minnesota DNR Volunteer and complete all required forms
2. Sign up for Bat Echo Locators 2026 (this activity)
3. Attend an online training or view recorded training video
4. Sign up to survey a specific location as described in the training
5. Survey your site during the spring and summer as described in the protocol
6. Collect and submit data according to the survey protocol including: 

• Use a mobile or online data collection application (Survey123) on a phone or tablet, or use alternate approved methods for data collection 

5. Keep track of the hours you spend on the project and report them by the end of the season 
6. Contact the Bat Echo Locators program supervisor if you have problems or questions 

Restricted work: All surveys must be conducted on public land or private land with permission. Some parks and other areas may have restricted hours that are incompatible with the timing of the survey. Always get permission before surveying on private land or in a public park outside of open hours.

Qualifications needed:

• Able to learn how to set up equipment including a rebar stake, PVC pole, and small audio recorder in the field
• Able to learn how to identify good locations to set up bat recorders
• Ability to hike or travel over uneven terrain to deploy monitoring equipment
• Able to collect data by written or electronic means

Training and preparation: Online orientation sessions are available and will be recorded for participants who cannot attend. Online training and reference resources are available through the volunteer webpage and through My Impact. Volunteers are responsible for developing the skills necessary to complete their survey and submit data. 

Minimum Time Commitment:

A one-hour training is required. Time required for surveys depends on how far volunteers travel to their survey site and how long it takes to set up equipment. Equipment setup usually takes lass than an hour. Detectors are set up in the survey location and left to record for 4-7 nights, twice during the summer (June and July), though additional surveys throughout the summer and fall are encouraged.

DNR Contact Person: Mags Edwards

Division: EWR Nongame

The Nongame Wildlife Program strives to maintain and enhance the state’s diversity of wildlife. We help restore native wildlife populations and support Minnesota’s Species in Greatest Conservation Need. We protect and manage crucial habitats, conduct scientific research to better understand Minnesota’s wildlife species and the ecosystems in which they live, and we forge connections between Minnesotans and native wildlife through engagement and education.