Participatory Monitoring Networks in Europe

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1. Name of Organisation:

Bat Conservation Ireland

1a. Your e-mail:

batline@eircom.net

2. Organisation address:

Deerpark House, Maio, Kells, County Meath, Republic of Ireland

2a. Country:

Ireland

3. What geographical area does your organisation cover?

An area within a country 26 counties in Republic of Ireland and 6 counties of Northern Ireland A country As above  Other countries As above

4. When did your organisation start?

2004

5. How many paid staff are in your organisation?

1-10

6a. Can members of the public (ordinary people) join your organisation?

Yes

6b. If Yes, how many members of the public (ordinary people) currently belong to your organisation?

51-100

6c. Do members of the public who have joined your organisation pay a membership fee?

Yes

6d. If some members do not have to pay a fee, please explain why

7a. What aspects of biodiversity your organisation monitors?

Species Insects Amphibians Fish Birds Mammals Plants Reptiles Habitats All habitats associated with bats. Other

7b. Please provide a brief description of your organisation's biodiversity monitoring activities.

Bat Conservation Ireland is contracted to monitor bat populations to meet EU Habitat Directive. BCIreland currently adminsters two monitoring programmes and is active in formulating monitoring protocols for bat species not currently monitored. Monitoring criteria aims to monitor bats according to Amber and Red IUCN Alert categories.

8. How long has your organisation carried out biodiversity monitoring activities?

3-5 years

9. Are any of your organisation's monitoring activities carried out in collaboration with another organisation/s?

Yes

10. If Yes, please give the name(s) of the organisation(s)

Bat Conservation Trust UK provides advice and designed both monitoring programmes currently adminstered by BCIreland. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Governement, Republic of Ireland government, Environmental Heritage Service, Department of Environment, Northern Ireland and The Heritage Council, Republic of Ireland are the principal funding partners. Waterways Ireland was an active funding party in 2006.

11. Do you supply or pass on your monitoring data to other organisations?

Yes

12. If Yes, please give the name of the organisation(s)

Bat Conservation Trust UK, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Governement, Republic of Ireland government, Environmental Heritage Service, Department of Environment, Northern Ireland and The Heritage Council, Republic of Ireland

13. Are your monitoring data published in a regular report?

Yes

14. Are the report(s) available on the internet?

Yes

14b. Internet address of report(s):

http://www.batconservationireland.org

15. Do volunteers contribute to your organisation's monitoring activities?

Yes

16. Do volunteers have to be members?

No

17. Please estimate the proportion of your organisation's biodiversity monitoring data that is provided by:

(a) Your organisation's staff 10 %  (b) Volunteers who are members 30 %  (c) Volunteers who are not members 60 %  TOTAL 100 %

18. How long has your organisation used volunteers to assist with monitoring activities?

3-5 years

19. What biodiversity monitoring information does your organisation ask volunteers to collect? Please list this information:

Two monitoring programmes A. All Ireland Daubenton's Bat Waterways Survey Volunteers: survey their local waterway (1km - ten spots, 100m apart) on two nights for 40 mins (excl travel time to and from site) in the month of August. This programme was introduced in 2006. B. Car-based Bat Monitoring Programme (in operation since 2003) Volunteers: survey a 60km transect within a 30km sqaure by car (with specialised bat detectors) on two nights during hte summer months. Surveying (excluding travel time to and from 30km square) takes 4 hours per night.

20. Does your organisation have enough volunteers for its biodiversity monitoring?

Yes

21. If no, please explain why

But we are always keen to recruit more volunteers.

22. What do you think motivates people to contribute to your organisation's biodiversity monitoring schemes (e.g. hands-on experience)? Please list:

1. Unsual mammal to survey 2. Surveying a local waterway increase peoples knowledge of their local wildlife 3. Being active in conserving a protected species 4. Practical survey experience

23. What methods does your organisation use to recruit volunteers?

Articles (newspapers, magazines etc.) Advertisements in newspapers, magazines etc. Internet/e-mail Invitations sent through the post Word of mouth Open days, workshops, activity days Radio/T.V. Other

24. Do volunteers receive any financial support (i.e. expense payments)?

Yes

25. What proportion of volunteers have formal environmental training? (e. g. field courses, university degree in biology, ecology etc.)

Less than 25%

26a. Does your organisation provide any training for volunteers?

Yes

26b. If Yes, please describe what training is given to volunteers.

1. All Ireland Daubenton's Bat Waterways Survey 3 hour training session is provided (1 hour lecture, 1 hour discussion & 1 hour field session) 2. Car-based Bat Monitoring Programme 2 hours training session (lecture and practical session) NB: to elaborate on question on previous page, volunteers in All Ireland Daubenton's Bat Waterways Survey does not get fiancial assistance. Volunteers in second programme gets a donation towards fuel costs only.

27a. Does your organisation validate the data received from volunteers?

Yes

27b. If yes, how are the data validated?

1. All Ireland Daubenton's Bat Waterways Survey This is not volidated - will be provision for validation in 2007 programme 2. Car-based Bat Monitoring Programme Bats recorded during recording session are recorded to mini-disc. These are returned for analysis by BCIreland staff which is then validated by BCT UK sonogram expert.

28. Does your organisation provide feedback to volunteers who contribute to your organisations monitoring activities?

Yes

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