Evaluating social outcomes of urban bat citizen science: A case study of public knowledge, attitudes, and nature connectedness

Abstract

Abstract Citizen science is widely used in biodiversity monitoring, yet its application to bats remains limited, particularly regarding how participation influences public understanding and support for conservation. This study examined short‐term changes in ecological knowledge, attitudes toward bats, and connection to nature following participation in a bat‐focused citizen science program. Community members were trained to conduct active acoustic transect surveys using Echo Meter Touch 2 detectors, a practical, non‐invasive method suitable for volunteer‐based monitoring. Social outcomes were assessed through questionnaires administered before training, after training, and following field participation, enabling a before–after evaluation of changes in knowledge, nature connectedness, and attitudes, as well as the influence of sensory experiences such as seeing and hearing bats. Engagement occurred across age groups, with strong involvement from young adults. Participants showed significant increases in knowledge and more positive attitudes toward bats, particularly among those with initially neutral or negative views. Sensory interaction was frequently linked to learning and enthusiasm. These findings suggest that bat‐focused citizen science can provide both locally relevant biodiversity data and opportunities to support public engagement with bat conservation, while providing baseline evidence to inform more rigorous future evaluations.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Conservation Science and Practice, 2026 · DOI ↗