Sounds of Nature MN
The Bioacoustics Research Group at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is launching its citizen science pilot project, Sounds of Nature MN: Bioacoustics for Bird Species Monitoring and Conservation, which seeks to advance our understanding of avian biodiversity across the state and how it might vary between public and private lands. Here are some key details:
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We are selecting 60 public sites and 60 private sites that provide forest or grassland habitat (at least 1 acre) for migrating and breeding bird species.
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Monitoring will be done for 50 days, 4-6 hours each day, from May 10th to June 30th using acoustic recording units (ARUs) secured to trees or posts by participants.
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Once we have retrieved the ARUs we will begin processing over 30,000 hours of audio data using BirdNET, an AI powered Bird Sound Recognition Tool, with plans to share preliminary results with participants and the broader public by the end of the year
Our lab already has boots on the ground to install units on public lands, but we need volunteers to lend a hand to represent Minnesota’s private lands. If you are interested in applying, please COMPLETE THIS FORM by April 27. Feel free to email our lab at soundsofnature@umn.edu with any questions you might have or if you need assistance completing an application. Also, please share this email with other MN landowners who might be interested.
Note: Participants for this pilot year will be chosen based primarily on geography and habitat type, with preference towards grassland and forest ecotypes in the southern half of Minnesota. Landowners from all over the state are encouraged to apply as we continue to expand our project scale and scope in the coming years.
Michael Worland
Nongame Specialist | Nongame Wildlife Program
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
EWR Sakatah Office
50507 Sakatah Lake State Park Rd
Waterville MN 56096
507-649-9081