Illinois Volunteers Track Bat Populations Using Audio Surveys

Hundreds of participants are utilizing ultrasonic recording technology to monitor bat species throughout the state.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Bird Watching

Illinois Volunteers Track Bat Populations Using Audio Surveys

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Do you believe local volunteer efforts are an effective way to help protect endangered wildlife?

Volunteers across Illinois are recording bat echolocation calls to help researchers understand population trends amid ongoing environmental threats. These efforts involve hundreds of participants who use specialized equipment to track species in regions like Chicago.

Why it matters

The data collected through these surveys helps experts identify critical habitats and monitor how diseases and habitat loss are affecting local bat populations. Tracking these trends is essential for developing effective conservation strategies for threatened species.

Illinois hosts 13 bat species, with six currently listed as threatened or endangered. The Illinois Bat Working Group maintains nearly 30 survey sites specifically within Chicago.

The players

Illinois Bat Working Group

This organization coordinates conservation efforts and manages survey sites across Illinois to protect native bat species.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This federal agency tracks population trends and provides essential data on endangered wildlife, including reports on the decline of tricolored bats.

The details

Participants carry backpack-mounted ultrasonic microphones to capture bat calls, which are then analyzed using classification software. These recordings allow staff to accurately identify species activity throughout the state, particularly in areas like LaSalle and Champaign counties.

2006 marked the first discovery of white-nose syndrome.
Bat survey efforts officially began in 2018.
Participation in seasonal programs grew to hundreds of volunteers between 2024 and 2026.
The annual bat surveying season occurs from April through September.
The 2026 bat survey season concluded in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This volunteer-driven monitoring reflects a broader movement toward citizen science, where the public directly contributes to data collection for species protected under the Endangered Species Act. This shift empowers residents to participate in conservation, bridging the gap between professional research and community involvement.

Residents interested in conservation can join organized volunteer efforts that utilize ultrasonic recording gear to monitor local wildlife. These programs require participants to commit to seasonal fieldwork from April through September to contribute to state data.

The takeaway

Citizen science programs allow individuals to contribute directly to the survival of native bat species by documenting population trends. Interested volunteers can begin by contacting local working groups to receive training on using acoustic monitoring equipment.