Create an Account Plan Your Project Collect Data Process Data Upload Data Get Data NABat Bulk Upload Templates Follow the steps below to download bulk upload templates for any survey type. Templates include the following information: first row - column headers; second row - description of formatting requirements and/or accepted entries for restricted categorical fields; third row - brief decription of field. Log in to the NABat Partner Portal . Click the "Projects" tab at the top of the page and select the NABat project to which you will upload data. Click the "Upload Survey Data" button in the top right corner of the project homepage, then select the relevant survey type from the drop-down menu. Select "Full Metadata" from the next window. Click the green "Download Template" button from the upload window.

e7392ced-bec4-477e-b10c-78c7397721f2 Photo credit: BCI Menden Pictures USFWS Next WNS & Listing Status Antrozous pallidus Order: Chiroptera Suborder: Yangochiroptera Family: Vespertilionidae Call characteristics: FM sweep (60-30 kHz range) Weight 1/2 - 1 oz (14 - 30 g) Body Length 2 1/3 - 3 1/3 in (6 – 8.5 cm) There are various sources for bat species range maps including IUCN , NatureServe , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ECOS , and the National Atlas of the United States . US SWAP National List IUCN Red List Canada Species at Risk Mexico Pallid Bat The Pallid Bat has yellow to brown fur on its back, white fur on its belly, a flat, pig-like nose, and a conspicuous skunky odor. It is the only species in the genus Antrozous and is found mostly in arid environments and grasslands from southern Canada to central Mexico and Cuba. The pallid bat roosts primarily in rock crevices, however, this species can also be found in hollow trees, buildings, and mines. Little is known about its migratory behavior, with some populations hibernating in deep crevices and others remaining active throughout the winter. In addition to echolocation, Pallid bats use their large ears to listen for prey, including scorpions, centipedes, and beetles, which it gleans directly from the ground. Pallid bats have also been observed drinking cactus nectar, a highly unusual behavior for primarily insectivorous species. Mothers typically give birth to twins. Information used to populate this page was obtained from the following sources: NatureServe Explorer United States Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Conservation Online System Bat Conservation International Bat Profiles National Atlas of the United States. (2011). North American Bat Ranges, 1830-2008. National Atlas of the United States. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/pz329xp4277. Taylor, M. 2019. Bats: an illustrated guide to all species. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books. Conservation Status Previous Next

NABat is a muli-national, collaborative conservation monitoring program aimed at understanding status and trends all 47 species of bats common to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. OUR NETWORK Fundamental to the success of NABat is the collaborative network upon which it stands. Our network of partners include local, federal, state, tribal and provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and industry experts who are collecting bat-related data across the continent. Connect with a Regional Bat Hub Hubs help facilitate local implementation of NABat and maximize benefit within the region. By joining a regional hub partners may receive more individual support to guide local survey efforts while maintaining the level of consistency necessary to meet the broader, programmatic goals of NABat. Learn More Join Our Community of Practice Join the NABat Central Coordination team and our continental network of partners as we virtually discuss the latest in research and analyses, updates to data collection and submission guidelines, programmatic updates, and so much more. Join CoP Learn About Our Network of Partners Visit the NABat Partner Portal Partners page to learn more about the organizations contributing data and expertise that is helping to advance our understanding of the status and trends of North American bat species. Partners Page Photo: Ivan Yates

Create Account Plan Project Collect Data Prep/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Resource Library CREATE AN ACCOUNT An NABat login and password are required to access most features of the NABat Partner Portal. Interested individuals should review NABat's terms and conditions prior to requesting an account. Follow the instructions on this page to register as an NABat Partner. Become an NABat Partner 1. Navigate to the NABat Partner Portal and click the Login | Request an Account button (top-right corner). 2. The log in process varies depending on a user's affiliation with the Department of the Interior (DOI). Any user outside the DOI is considered an External Account. Users setting up an External Account should begin by clicking the Login.gov button under External Account , then follow prompts to create an account. DOI users must register or log into their NABat account by selecting Microsoft Entra . To complete account set up, users will need to associate an account with a registered organization. If an organization is not in the dropdown list, please fill out the New Organization Form , and a member of the Technical Outreach team will add it to the NABat Partner Portal . Please allow up to 24 hours for the request to be processed. Note: For the Organization Leader(s) and/or NABat Point(s) of Contact, please refer to either the organization's current leader or the most consistent representative responsible for the data uploaded to the NABat Partner Portal. If the point of contact changes, please reach out to a member of the Technical Outreach Team to update the contact information. 3. Once an account is created/approved, navigate to the NABat Partner Portal and log in. 4. Once logged in, click the My NABat tab from the top menu bar. A user's current projects will appear under this tab. If a user wishes to join an existing project, contact the project leader and request to be added as a member.

Threats to Bats Learn more about factors impacting the survival and health of North America's bats Photo Credit: National Park Service The Problem: North American bats are currently facing a range of significant threats that have led to alarming declines in various species. Key issues include diseases such as white-nose syndrome, collisions with wind turbines, and habitat loss and degradation. Understanding species distributions and abundance, as well as how these metrics change over time, is critical to assessing the viability of bat populations and identifying when populations are recovering. A Solution: The North American Bat Program effectively addresses the historical lack of information regarding bat species status and trends through coordinated, standardized, long-term data collection. The data collected as part of NAB will contribute to spatially explicit estimates of bat distributions and abundance, as well as track changes over time. information is vital for filling knowledge gaps and supports proactive management of bat populations. White-nose Syndrome White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by an invasive, cold-growing fungus that affects hibernating bats . The fungus grows on bats’ skin, disturbing hibernation and resulting in dehydration, starvation, and often death. First documented in New York in 2006, WNS has since spread to numerous U.S. states and Canadian provinces, causing severe population declines in many bat species. Click on the button below to learn more or explore the WNS publications database . Learn more Wind Energy Current evidence suggest that collisions with spinning wind turbine blades may kill hundreds of thousands of bats each year in North America. Although it has been theorized that barotrauma, internal injuries caused by rapid changes in air pressure, may also contribute to bat fatalities at wind turbines, research shows this is exceedingly unlikely . Given that bats are long-lived and typically limited to 1 or 2 offspring per year, existing fatality rates may not be sustainable for some species . Recent studies indicate population-level declines are possible, particularly with the anticipated growth of wind energy development (see example wind energy future scenarios for the U.S. here ). As a result, significant investments have been made in search of solutions that minimize impacts to bats without impeding the continued deployment of wind energy. Learn more from this webinar recording or click below to explore literature on this topic. Learn more Habitat Loss & Degradation Forests and underground structures like caves and mines are critical bat habitat for roosting, foraging, and reproduction. The growing loss of these habitats, continues to cause substantial impacts on the abundance and diversity of bats at a global scale.

Create Account Plan Project Collect Data Prep/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Quick Links Photo credit: Merlin Tuttle Quick Links to Resources Follow the links below to access helpful resources including guidance documents. Guidance documents Assessing Bridges, Culverts, and Tunnels for Bat Presence and Use Configure Audiomoth Processing acoustic files in multiple software Recommended Detector Settings Other resources Field App Options Nested NABat Grid-based Sampling Frame (50x50km; 10x10km; 1x1km resolutions) NABat Grid Cell Finder NABat Metadata Forms for Auto ID Software Property access request sample letter Tools and resources from the SE Bat Hub Winter roost field data form NABat R package NABat R Package (nabatr) TRAINING VIDEOS Getting Started Acoustic Surveying Processing Acoustic Data Data Prep & Uploading Community Perspectives Working w/ Large Datasets

Create an Account Plan Your Project Collect Data Prepare/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Quick Links Credit: Flickr/Mroach Saving transect routes as spatial objects NABat partners can provide spatial information for mobile transect routes by (1) uploading routes as a .kml or .geojson file, or (2) drawing mobile transect routes using NABat's web-based mapping tools. i have a kml/geojson i do not have a kml/geojson Back: Resources Home Back: Plan your Project Have KML Uploading mobile transect routes as a .kml or .geojson file Users who use a GPS unit to record a mobile transect survey route can upload those routes as a KML or GeoJSON file. Most GPS units produce data in the GPX file type, but many free online conversion tools are available . 1. Log into the NABat Partner Portal . First-time users will need to create an account . 2. Once logged in, navigate to the My Projects tab (top menu bar) and select a project to work in. Scroll down to the project map. 3. Click the KML|GeoJSON button (top right of map) to browse for the desired route file. 4. After uploading a dialogue box will appear. Click Edit and name the transect route. 5. The newly uploaded route is not automatically connected to a survey event; the user must link transect routes and survey events together in one of two following ways. If uploading mobile survey metadata via the Bulk Upload Tool, simply enter the route’s name into the “Location Name” column of the bulk upload CSV file before uploading. If working in the reverse order (i.e., survey metadata uploaded prior to transect route upload) the user should simply click Reprocess to update metadata CSV file in the Bulk Uploads tab. Note that entries in the “Location Name” column of the CSV must still match the transect route name. Alternatively, mobile survey metadata may be entered manually. Navigate through the list of GRTS cell survey data located beneath the project map. Click the target GRTS cell to expand its current survey data. Click the Single Entry button located in the "Mobile Acoustic Survey" dropdown menu, then follow the prompts to create a new survey. Currently uploaded transect routes within the GRTS cell should appear as options when selecting the survey’s location. No KML Drawing mobile transect routes using NABat's web-based mapping tools Users can draw mobile transect routes directly in the Partner Portal . 1. Log into the NABat Partner Portal . First-time users will need to create an account . 2. Once logged in, navigate to the My Projects tab (top menu bar) and select a project to work in. Scroll down to the project map. 3. Click the Mark a transect route button on the left edge of the project map, note the drawing options that expand to the right of the button. Click along the desired mobile transect route and finalize it with the Finish button. 4. A dialogue box will appear. Click Edit assign the survey type and name the transect route. 5. The newly created route is not automatically connected to a survey event; the user must link transect routes and survey events together in one of two following ways. If uploading mobile survey metadata via the Bulk Upload Tool, simply enter the route’s name into the “Location Name” column of the bulk upload CSV file before uploading. If working in the reverse order (i.e., survey metadata uploaded prior to transect route upload) the user should simply click Reprocess to update the metadata CSV file in the Bulk Uploads tab. Note that entries in the “Location Name” column of the CSV must still match the transect route name. Alternatively, mobile survey metadata may be entered manually. Navigate through the list of GRTS cell survey data located beneath the project map. Click the target GRTS cell to expand its current survey data. Click the Single Entry button located in the "Mobile Acoustic Survey" dropdown menu, then follow the prompts to create a new survey. Currently uploaded transect routes within the GRTS cell should appear as options when selecting the survey’s location. 6. Users can export transect routes for use in a GPS unit by clicking the Download KML | GeoJSON button in the top right of the project map.

Create Account Plan Project Collect Data Prep/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Resource Library COLLECT DATA Jump to... Capture Records Emergence Counts Internal Roost Counts Mobile Acoustic Surveys Stationary Acoustic Surveys Reference Calls Photo: Frank Tousley Stationary Acoustic Surveys The goal of stationary acoustic surveys is to capture the full scope of bat species diversity within a GRTS cell. This is accomplished through presence-absence sampling, meaning a single positive identification of each species is all that is required at each sampling location. Therefore, the priority of stationary acoustic sampling should be to acquire high-quality recordings that can be confidently identified, rather than focusing on recording a high volume of recordings. 1. Select GRTS cells to survey . Acquire landowner permission, if applicable. Find a sample property access request letter here . 2. Select sites to monitor. Each 10 x 10 km GRTS cell is comprised of four 5 x 5 km quadrants; users should place no more than 1 acoustic detector per quadrant and survey at least two quadrants per grid cell. Homogenous landscapes may only require two quadrants to capture the species diversity within a cell. If landscapes are heterogenous or unfamiliar to the user, place detectors in up to four quadrants to ensure the major habitat types are represented in sampling. Site selection is a multi-year commitment that should be diligently assessed by knowledgeable biologists using on-the-ground reconnaissance. Note: Aim for call diversity, not quantity. It may be necessary to place one or two detectors in habitats that may be used only by one or two species if those habitats are the most likely area to host those species 3. Prepare survey equipment. Most bat detectors are compatible with stationary acoustic monitoring; however, time-expansion detectors should not be used. To standardize recordings, recommended settings involve a two-second trigger window and a maximum file length of 15 seconds. 4. Conduct surveys. Monitoring should occur during the summer active period prior to the young becoming volant. This target period may vary with location or species. When possible, surveys should be conducted when weather conditions are optimal for bat activity. Each survey point should be sampled at least once per year, for a minimum of four consecutive nights. Surveys should last the entire night, from 15 minutes before sunset until 15 minutes after sunrise. 5. Review full NABat Stationary Acoustic Survey protocols in A plan for the North American Bat Monitoring Program (Chapter 4). Resources for Stationary Acoustic Surveys Acoustic Detector Settings Guide Using Audiomoth for Acoustic Surveys Audiomoth Configuration File Mobile Acoustic Surveys The goal of mobile acoustic surveys is to estimate the relative abundance of bat species within a GRTS cell. 1. Select GRTS cells to survey . Acquire landowner permission, if applicable. Find a sample property access request letter here . 2. Delineate a survey route. Routes should cover 25-48 km (~15-30 mi) on roads where a constant speed of 32 kph (20 mph) is possible with little to no stopping. Plan a route that covers the cell’s predominant habitat types, but avoid roads with heavy traffic (for safety) and dense forested corridors (for call quality). To ensure each bat recording is a unique encounter, avoid routes that loop back near previously surveyed areas. If unavoidable, aim for all route sections to be separated by > 100 m lateral distance. Note: Mobile transect routes should be targeted toward a single GRTS cell, but may have sections or an endpoint that extend beyond the GRTS cell boundary into an adjacent cell(s). 3. Prepare survey equipment. Acceptable bat detectors include full-spectrum (preferred), zero-cross, and frequency division. Zero-cross detectors that auto-level the noise floor should not be used, nor should time-expansion detectors. Directional microphones are preferred and should be affixed centrally on the vehicle rooftop, preferably aiming their cone of detection upwards. All recordings should be georeferenced. Most detector types are capable of writing GPS metadata, either through internal GPS mechanisms or through the attachment of accessory GPS units. Note: Because mobile transects should only be conducted during fair weather, microphone weatherproofing is not necessary and should not be used (for call quality). 4. Conduct surveys. Users should perform mobile surveys twice per year during the maternity season — ideally, the second survey will be conducted within a week of the first. The window of appropriate survey dates may vary based on the phenology of regional bat communities. To maintain consistency in subsequent years, future surveys should be conducted within one-two weeks of the original survey date. Begin mobile surveys 45 minutes after sunset. If the survey vehicle must stop for any reason, the detector should be paused until the survey resumes. Note: Ensure detectors are functional for the duration of the survey by generating an ultrasonic test noise (e.g., rubbing fingers together, jangling keys) at the microphone immediately after beginning and prior to ending the survey. 5. Review full NABat Mobile Acoustic Survey protocols in A plan for the North American Bat Monitoring Program (Chapter 5). Mobile Acoustic Transect Standard Operating Procedure Locating and Establishing Routes Field Season and Survey Preparation Conducting Mobile Transect Surveys Download + Link Mobile Transect Route to Survey Event Download Transect Route Link Transect Route to Survey Roost Count Surveys at a Glance The goal of roost count surveys is to estimate population abundance in gregarious species or to record species whose call characteristic are not well-suited for acoustic monitoring. Bat roost sites can be sensitive locations. NABat offers multiple levels of data security to accommodate project's with site security concerns. Disclaimer: NABat recognizes that many ongoing roost/colony monitoring programs consist of years, or decades of effort. NABat guidelines encourage survey effort consistency to create comparable datasets; however, it is not recommended that existing colony monitoring programs significantly alter their current protocols unless data reliability is expected to dramatically improved. Consistent, long-term monitoring data is more important that full integration of efforts into the NABat framework. Internal Roost Counts 1. Assess the need for an internal roost count. Entering a roost may negatively impact bats and should be avoided when possible. An internal roost count may be appropriate if emergence counts cannot be conducted or cannot reliably identify a roost’s species, or if data needs require winter-specific population estimates to assess threats associated with hibernacula (e.g., WNS). To ensure reproductive success is not compromised in maternity colonies, internal surveys of summer roosts are not recommended unless absolutely necessary. 2. Establish a survey sample design. If a regular sampling interval can be maintained (≤ 3 years between surveys), it may be most appropriate to monitor all colonies in a region. Alternatively, GRTS cell selection protocol can be used to prioritize monitoring when the number of colonies exceeds monitoring resources in a region. 3. Conduct surveys. Whenever possible, winter surveys should be conducted between late January and early March. To minimize disturbance, conduct surveys no more than once per season — some species-specific guidance may recommend surveying once every other season. If internal roost counts must be conducted in the summer, surveys should occur during the final two weeks of pregnancy. Entering roosts with non-volant pups incurs a high risk of pup mortality. Multiple-observer surveys are recommended to minimize bias in abundance estimates. However, it is critical that data collected in this manner be independent (i.e., no communication between observers). Surveyors must also consider that duplicated effort has the potential to increase disturbance within a roost and should make every effort to minimize disturbance. Digital photography is the preferred method for internal roost counts as it minimizes time spent in a roost and creates a permanent record of the survey. Performing a visual survey in tandem with digital photography generally results in a reliable roost count. Cameras must be capable of producing clear images where individual bats are easily distinguished. Cluster abundance may be estimated by extrapolating bat density estimates over the cluster area; in such cases, packing density should be estimated for each cluster and for multiple subsets of large clusters. Note: It is crucial that large roosts be subdivided into named sections and bat counts be attributed to their respective section. Spatial inconsistency between surveys often renders incomparable data; however, comparisons may still be drawn at the roost section level when such data exists. Emergence Counts 1. Establish a survey sample design. If it is practical to monitor all known colonies in a region each season, it may be most appropriate to continue monitoring all colonies. Alternatively, GRTS cell selection protocol can be used to prioritize monitoring when colony prevalence exceeds monitoring resources in a region. 2. Assess whether an emergence count will result in accurate estimates at a roost. Emergence counts are appropriate when all roost exits are known and can be monitored simultaneously. Conditions must allow individual emerging bats to be identified; additionally, species compositions and relative abundances of the roost must be known beforehand. 3. Conduct surveys. Emergence counts are most productive during late pregnancy or early lactation, prior to young becoming volant. Performing two-three emergence counts during this period typically produces reliable data. In most scenarios, it is appropriate to begin monitoring a roost 30 minutes before sunset and continue at least 10 minutes after the last bat emerges or until it is too dark to see. However, larger colonies may emerge in pulses with periods > 10 minutes between emerging bats. Capture NABat encourage submission of capture data. User capture data may facilitate the interpretation of acoustic and roost count surveys by aiding verification of a given species for a given area. NABat does not specify guidance protocols regarding the capture or handling of bats. Please refer to your state/province/territory guidelines, and/or your local USFWS local field office. Reference Calls Bat reference calls are acoustic recordings of bat echolocations, social calls, etc. where the identity of the recorded species is established through reliable identification methods, e.g., genetics, capture, etc. Despite the NABat database representing over 130 million bat acoustic records (and counting), there is still a pressing need for verified, curated reference recordings. These bat reference calls are needed to help improve the utility and reliability of acoustic monitoring as a tool for studying bats and essential for advancing our understanding of how species and populations are fairing across North America. Reference Call Guidance Reference Calls

588e4a1d-3771-417c-aeab-abec61a5c47d Photo credit: Andrea Schuhmann USFWS Next WNS & Listing Status Myotis austroriparius Order : Chiroptera Suborder: Yangochiroptera Family : Vespertilionidae Call characteristics: High frequency caller (~40 kHz range) Weight 1/5 - 1/3 oz (5.1 - 8.1 g) Body Length 3 - 3 4/5 in (7.7 – 9.7 cm) There are various sources for bat species range maps including IUCN , NatureServe , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ECOS , and the National Atlas of the United States . US SWAP National List IUCN Red List Canada Species at Risk Mexico Southeastern Myotis The southeastern myotis is distinguishable from other Myotis species by its woolly, bi-colored fur (dark brown at the base with pale tips) and especially long toe hairs. Summer habitat includes hardwood and mixed forests, coastal areas, and a wide range of riparian habitat. Maternity colonies are often associated with caves, but have also been observed in hollow trees and man-made structures like bridges and culverts. In its southern range, the species remains active for much of the winter, but individuals in the northern range hibernate in some of the same structures used for summer roosts (e.g., caves). Females of this species typically give birth to twin pups. Diet consists primarily of mosquitoes, crane flies, and moths. Information used to populate this page was obtained from the following sources: NatureServe Explorer United States Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Conservation Online System Bat Conservation International Bat Profiles National Atlas of the United States. (2011). North American Bat Ranges, 1830-2008. National Atlas of the United States. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/pz329xp4277. Taylor, M. 2019. Bats: an illustrated guide to all species. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books. Conservation Status Previous Next

NABat is a muli-national, collaborative conservation monitoring program aimed at understanding status and trends all 47 species of bats common to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. What We Provide NABat provides essential, bat-related data, standardized monitoring guidance, and analytical tools and products that streamline regulatory compliance and inform resource management Learn More 195,000,000 + bat-related data records 47 North American bat species in database 570+ partner organizations in the U.S. and Canada 2,700+ registered users & data contributors 100+ analytical products, decision-support tools, and software releases 500 + third-party data requests

NABat is a muli-national, collaborative conservation monitoring program aimed at understanding status and trends all 47 species of bats common to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Network In addition to collecting and uploading data to NABat , we offer a number of ways to get involved in the broader NABat community. Check out the opportunities below! Looking for more guidance or want 1:1 support? We offer training webinars throughout the year on a variety of topics. Check out our Events page for upcoming dates. For more individualized support, contact a member of our Technical Outreach Team or Book an Appointment . Connect with a regional hub Hubs help facilitate local implementation of NABat and maximize benefit within the region. By joining a regional hub partners may receive more individual support to guide local survey efforts while maintaining the level of consistency necessary to meet the broader, programmatic goals of NABat. Learn more > Join our community of practice Come join us during our monthly calls as we highlight current efforts by partners and present on the latest research and updates to NABat. Hear from the NABat Coordination Team and get your questions answered. Contact us to be notified of upcoming meetings. Contact us > Sign up for the newsletter Stay up to date on what is happening with NABat and the greater bat community. Learn about upcoming events, relevant publications, resources, and products being produced by our team. Sign up > Events No events at the moment