Insect-eating bats are in decline. They need our help. Of the 34 species in NSW, 17 are listed as threatened. Insect-eating bats play a vital role in our ecosystem by eating insects like cockroaches, mosquitoes, and agricultural pests.

That’s why we’re proud to support Bats in Backyards, a citizen science project aimed at securing populations of threatened insect-eating bats in NSW.

Bats in Backyards is asking citizen scientists to survey insect-eating bats on their property by recording bat calls over five days using a bat detector device provided to participants.

The recordings will be analysed by scientists, and each property owner will receive a full report detailing each bat species detected, their preferred habitat and food, and recommended actions for bat protection and conservation.

Citizen scientists involved in the project will contribute invaluable data to help scientists build a better understanding of threatened insect-eating bats and will help to inform their conservation.

You can become a Bats in Backyards citizen scientist if you live in the following local government areas: Armidale; Bogan, Blue Mountains, Brewarrina, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Sydney Basin (includes 30 local government areas in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area) and Walgett.

Every recording matters. Contribute yours.

Find out more at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/batsinbackyards

The Bats in Backyards project is a collaborative effort between citizen scientists, the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Impact Ecology and Western Sydney University.