Spotted bat. Photo by Michael Durham.
Bat Research Takes Flight with ODFW’s Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund
Oregon is home to two rare, at-risk desert bats, the pallid and spotted bats, both recognized as State Wildlife Action Plan species.
Pallid bat. Photo by Michael Durham
With support from the ODFW's Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund, the Northwest Bat Hub at Oregon State University-Cascades launched the Audible Bats Project to study their unique acoustic behaviors. The project expanded monitoring efforts and engaged communities in conservation efforts across the state.
A $50,000 grant from OCRF allowed the Northwest Bat Hub to expand community-based research efforts in Oregon, where a majority of the project's fieldwork takes place. The funding supported every phase of the project, including volunteer training, field surveys and scientific analysis. Since its 2020 launch, the Audible Bats Project has empowered more than 200 volunteers, from stargazers to conservationists, to explore diverse habitats and gather valuable acoustic project data, while connecting with Oregon's nocturnal wildlife.
As ODFW's grant program that advances the protection and restoration of Oregon's fish, wildlife and habitats, OCRF empowers organizations like the Northwest Bat Hub to achieve their vision. Our support helps build community, inspire the next generation of outdoors enthusiasts, and revitalize crucial native species. We're proud to champion the Northwest Bat Hub as they fill critical data gaps that guide bat conservation strategies and help Oregonians connect to the habitats around them.