Are you interested in learning more about Chicago-area bats and contributing to ongoing conservation research? Join Bat Tracker, a community science project hosted by the Urban Wildlife Institute (UWI) at Lincoln Park Zoo! Natural Habitat Evanston is helping to organize the monitoring in Evanston, most likely near Harbert-Payne Woods, and possibly also at the lakefront.

As part of this project, volunteers will go out in teams around sunset to walk for roughly an hour within Harbert-Payne natural area. While walking, equipment provided by UWI will detect and record ultrasonic echolocation calls emitted by bats as they are flying around the landscape. Equipment will provide real-time feedback about the species recorded making it easier to see bats flying, and know what species are using the space!

Data collected will contribute to a large-scale community science program across the Chicago area with over 20 locations participating, and improve our understanding of habitat needs for these at-risk species!

Training will begin in April, with monitoring beginning in May, and taking place throughout summer/fall 2025.