Acoustic Monitoring

North American Venue for 2012: California

BCI's Acoustic Monitoring Workshop will be conducted this year at the Lava Beds National Monument located near Tulelake in northern California. This workshop is designed for biologists, consultants and researchers seeking hands-on, guided experience with cutting-edge technologies for recording and analyzing echolocation calls. Participants will work directly with AnaBat/AnaLook and SonoBat software developers Chris Corben and Joe Szewczak, respectively, to learn techniques for collecting, recording and analyzing bat calls in the field. These and other experienced instructors offer a comprehensive curriculum covering heterodyne, frequency-division, time-expansion and direct-recording detecting using AnaBat, Pettersson and BAT equipment. Students learn to use their own equipment more effectively and to choose proper protocols and platforms for designing an acoustic-inventory project.

Because of the threat of White-nose Syndrome, participants at all BCI workshops will learn and follow approved decontamination guidelines. Workshop participants must read and sign the "WNS Decontamination Agreement" available below.

California
This workshop offers an exceptional field location with ecosystems that support up to 14 bat species. The numerous and highly diverse lava-tube caves found in this area provide summer and winter roosts for many local bats (including Townsend's big-eared bats and Mexican free-tailed bats), while providing an excellent opportunity to discuss and observe a diversity of cave environments. The nearby Modoc National Forest offers habitats used by a number of tree-roosting bat species, as well as open water resources that are non-existent in the rugged volcanic landscape of the Monument.

One Session: July 12 – 17, 2012

Cost: $1,795 (USD)

Payment & Registration

The fine print - IMPORTANT:

The cost of the workshop covers course materials, food, lodging and all transportation in the field. Applicants must make their own travel arrangements to and from the workshop site. Participants are encouraged to carpool and BCI will facilitate connecting those wishing to ride-share. Single-room occupancy accommodations are not available. Housing is dormitory style with 4 - 6 people sharing a room. The most convenient major airport serving the Tulelake area is Medford-Jackson County Airport (MFR).

For participants who choose to handle wild bats during this workshop, rabies pre-exposure vaccinations or proof of sufficient titer are required. For information on obtaining this vaccine, contact your local health department, travel clinic or personal physician. Prices for the vaccine series (3 separate injections) vary from state to state but can cost at least $250 per shot. Please plan accordingly for this additional expense. See "Information about bats and rabies" below for information about the rabies vaccine.

Registration for this workshop is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Acoustic Monitoring Workshop frequently fills early, so be sure to submit your form(s) as soon as possible. Submission instructions are provided on the registration forms provided below. Once your registration materials have been received, you will be sent an email confirmation (within 5 business days) along with a request to provide a $300 deposit to hold your spot. The confirmation email will also provide detailed information on payment options and deadlines. For more information contact the Workshops Coordinator, at workshops@batcon.org or 512-327-9721.

Additional information and forms:

 Pre-exposure rabies vaccination info
 WNS Decontamination Agreement
 Scholarship Information & Application Form
 Sample Agenda

Please note:

ALL refunds regardless of payment method will be charged a 10% administrative surcharge. Cancellations made 45 days prior to the workshop will be granted a refund. Participants cancelling after this deadline will only be granted a refund if BCI is able to fill the spot in the workshop. Cancellations must be in writing and sent via e-mail, post or FAX and are effective upon receipt.