Nongame Wildlife

Background: Female bats gather in large groups during the summer to give birth and raise their young in structures called roosts. Roofs, attics, old barns, trees and bat-boxes are all commonly used examples. Bats emerge from the roost just after sunset to forage for food.

Purpose: The Minnesota Bat Roost Watch is designed to monitor bat distribution and population trends by recording data about where bats roost and raise their young (called ‘pups’).

Desired outcomes: Volunteer participants learn to identify bat roosts, how to count bats and conduct a monitoring survey, and collect data according to a standardized protocol.

Impact: Data collected through this project documents:

1. Where bats are breeding and roosting across Minnesota
2. How bat populations are changing over time
3. How bat populations are responding to white-nose syndrome and other stressors

Responsibilities:

1. Apply to become a Minnesota DNR Volunteer and complete all required forms
2. Sign up for Bat Roost Watch 2026 (this activity)
3. Attend an online training or view recorded training video
4. Sign up to monitor a specific roost 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 
• Collect data at night and under appropriate environmental conditions 

5. Keep track of the hours you spend on the project and report them by the end of the season 
6. Contact the Bat Roost Watch 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 to count bats as they emerge from a roost
• Able to collect data by written or electronic means
• Ability to hike or travel over uneven terrain to access bat roosts

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. Each survey takes approximately 1.5 hours from start to finish. Surveys are repeated at least twice (June and July) during the summer, though additional surveys throughout the summer 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.