The North American Bat Monitoring Program: R Data Connection Package can be used to extract and summarize data from NABat projects and data requests. This video tutorial provides a brief overview of how to get started with the NABat R package, including how to download the package as well as how to log in using partner portal credentials.
Bethany Straw
Bethany is a Biologist at the Fort Collins Science Center, where she serves as Assistant Coordinator of the North American Bat Monitoring Program.
Bethany is a biologist at the Fort Collins Science Center. She serves as the Assistant Coordinator of the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) providing leadership and direction of NABat across international boundaries. Bethany's research interests have focused on the relationship between stressors like wind energy and wildlife seeking to improve understanding of the source and magnitude of impact renewable energy has on wildlife and solutions to minimize risk. Now as the Assistant Program Coordinator for NABat her work is aimed at coordinating a continental scale monitoring program that collects, aggregates and analyzes data that can answer key questions related to population status, trends and occupancy for North America's 47 bats species.
Professional Experience
2020 - Present: Biologist and NABat Assistant Coordinator, USGS Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO
2018 - 2020: Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, Boulder, CO
2015 - 2018: Business Support Specialist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, Boulder, CO
2008 - 2010: Independent Consultant, Ventura, CA
2007 - 2008: Administrative Services Coordinator, American Lung Association, Santa Barbara, CA
2007: Field Technician, Phoinix Corporation, Lynnwood, WA
Education and Certifications
B.A., University of Redlands, 2006
Science and Products
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
Translational science for renewable energy and its wildlife concerns: a synthesis of wind energy buildout, bat population ecology, and habitat constraints
Supplemental Results from: Using mobile acoustic monitoring and false-positive N-mixture models to estimate bat abundance and population trends
Summer Roost Site Suitability Analyses of Four North American Bat Species in the Eastern United States
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Predicted Northern Long-Eared Bat Occupancy Probabilities
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Integrated Summer Species Distribution Model: Predicted Tricolored Bat Occupancy Probabilities (ver. 1.1, October 2024)
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Winter Abundance: Predicted Population Estimates (2022 and 2023)
Attributed North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) 5km x 5km Master Sample and Grid-Based Sampling Frame
Attributed North American Grid-Based Offshore Sampling Frames
Training dataset for NABat Machine Learning V1.0
Status and Trends of North American Bats Summer Occupancy Analysis 2010-2019 Data Release
North American Grid-Based Offshore Sampling Frames
Bat, insect, and bird activity at a wind turbine in Colorado experimentally illuminated with ultraviolet light at night in 2019 to try and deter bats
In Support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3-Bat Species Status Assessment: Predicted Wind Take Allocated To Hibernacula Each Year Under Current and Future Scenarios
The North American Bat Monitoring Program: R Data Connection Package can be used to extract and summarize data from NABat projects and data requests. This video tutorial provides a brief overview of how to get started with the NABat R package, including how to download the package as well as how to log in using partner portal credentials.
Introduction to the North American Bat Monitoring Program, including a short history of the program, a review of key program components, and highlights of program outcomes and products.
Introduction to the North American Bat Monitoring Program, including a short history of the program, a review of key program components, and highlights of program outcomes and products.
Training webinar for Mobile Acoustic Surveying hosted by Sarah Gaulke (USGS). The webinar details preparing for and implementing Mobile Acoustic Surveys for bat monitoring, including how to use the NABat Partner Portal to plan a survey route
Training webinar for Mobile Acoustic Surveying hosted by Sarah Gaulke (USGS). The webinar details preparing for and implementing Mobile Acoustic Surveys for bat monitoring, including how to use the NABat Partner Portal to plan a survey route
NABat Training Webinar on how to upload acoustic survey data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat Training Webinar on how to upload acoustic survey data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat training webinar on scripts, tools, and resources for uploading data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat training webinar on scripts, tools, and resources for uploading data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 1 covered data storage and management, quality assurance/control of incoming data, batch attribution and data curation, and batch processing of auto-classifiers.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 1 covered data storage and management, quality assurance/control of incoming data, batch attribution and data curation, and batch processing of auto-classifiers.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 2 covered strategies for manual vetting, transferring results to NABat, and automating cooperator reports.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 2 covered strategies for manual vetting, transferring results to NABat, and automating cooperator reports.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 1 - Introduction
Introduction contains background information on NABat and Florida Bonneted Bat surveys.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 1 - Introduction
Introduction contains background information on NABat and Florida Bonneted Bat surveys.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List)
linkRecording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List)
linkRecording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part - 3 External Roost Surveys)
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part - 3 External Roost Surveys)
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 4 - Acoustic Surveys
This video describes how to prepare and submit acoustic data into the NABat portal.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 4 - Acoustic Surveys
This video describes how to prepare and submit acoustic data into the NABat portal.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 5 - Uploading Acoustic Data
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 5 - Uploading Acoustic Data
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 6 - Finish Submitting Project
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 6 - Finish Submitting Project
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Training Webinar, hosted by Frank Tousley (Student Service Contractor for USGS) and Dane Smith on Creating an NABat Partner Portal Project.
Training Webinar, hosted by Frank Tousley (Student Service Contractor for USGS) and Dane Smith on Creating an NABat Partner Portal Project.
Training webinar, hosted by Bethany Straw, on using the NABat Partner Portal Cell Selection Tool.
Training webinar, hosted by Bethany Straw, on using the NABat Partner Portal Cell Selection Tool.
Training webinar, hosted by Kathryn Irvine, on Understanding the NABat Master Sample.
Training webinar, hosted by Kathryn Irvine, on Understanding the NABat Master Sample.
Using mobile acoustic monitoring and false-positive N-mixture models to estimate bat abundance and population trends
Assessing bridges, culverts, and tunnels for bat presence and use
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) mobile acoustic transect surveys standard operating procedure 3—Conducting mobile transect surveys
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) mobile acoustic transect surveys standard operating procedure 1—Locating and establishing mobile transect routes
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Mobile Acoustic Transect Surveys Standard Operating Procedure 2—Field Season and Survey Preparation
NABat ML: Utilizing deep learning to enable crowdsourced development of automated, scalable solutions for documenting North American bat populations
Status and trends of North American bats: Summer occupancy analysis 2010-2019
• We developed an analytical pipeline supported by web-based infrastructure for integrating continental scale bat monitoring data (stationary acoustic, mobile acoustic, and capture records) to estimate summer (May 1–Aug 31) occupancy probabilities and changes in occupancy over time for 12 North American bat species. This serves as one of multiple lines of evidence that inform the status and trends
Analytical assessments in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3-bat species status assessment
Acoustic and genetic data can reduce uncertainty regarding populations of migratory tree-roosting bats impacted by wind energy
Influencing activity of bats by dimly lighting wind turbine surfaces with ultraviolet light
North American Bat Monitoring Program: R Data Connection Package (Version 1.1.0)
Ecosystems-nabat-FPabund: software for fitting false-positive N-mixture models using NABat mobile acoustic data (version 1.0.0)
North American Bat Monitoring Program: NABat Acoustic ML (version 2.0.0)
North American Bat Monitoring Program: NABat Acoustic ML, Version 1.0.1
Science and Products
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
Translational science for renewable energy and its wildlife concerns: a synthesis of wind energy buildout, bat population ecology, and habitat constraints
Supplemental Results from: Using mobile acoustic monitoring and false-positive N-mixture models to estimate bat abundance and population trends
Summer Roost Site Suitability Analyses of Four North American Bat Species in the Eastern United States
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Predicted Northern Long-Eared Bat Occupancy Probabilities
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Integrated Summer Species Distribution Model: Predicted Tricolored Bat Occupancy Probabilities (ver. 1.1, October 2024)
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Winter Abundance: Predicted Population Estimates (2022 and 2023)
Attributed North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) 5km x 5km Master Sample and Grid-Based Sampling Frame
Attributed North American Grid-Based Offshore Sampling Frames
Training dataset for NABat Machine Learning V1.0
Status and Trends of North American Bats Summer Occupancy Analysis 2010-2019 Data Release
North American Grid-Based Offshore Sampling Frames
Bat, insect, and bird activity at a wind turbine in Colorado experimentally illuminated with ultraviolet light at night in 2019 to try and deter bats
In Support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3-Bat Species Status Assessment: Predicted Wind Take Allocated To Hibernacula Each Year Under Current and Future Scenarios
The North American Bat Monitoring Program: R Data Connection Package can be used to extract and summarize data from NABat projects and data requests. This video tutorial provides a brief overview of how to get started with the NABat R package, including how to download the package as well as how to log in using partner portal credentials.
The North American Bat Monitoring Program: R Data Connection Package can be used to extract and summarize data from NABat projects and data requests. This video tutorial provides a brief overview of how to get started with the NABat R package, including how to download the package as well as how to log in using partner portal credentials.
Introduction to the North American Bat Monitoring Program, including a short history of the program, a review of key program components, and highlights of program outcomes and products.
Introduction to the North American Bat Monitoring Program, including a short history of the program, a review of key program components, and highlights of program outcomes and products.
Training webinar for Mobile Acoustic Surveying hosted by Sarah Gaulke (USGS). The webinar details preparing for and implementing Mobile Acoustic Surveys for bat monitoring, including how to use the NABat Partner Portal to plan a survey route
Training webinar for Mobile Acoustic Surveying hosted by Sarah Gaulke (USGS). The webinar details preparing for and implementing Mobile Acoustic Surveys for bat monitoring, including how to use the NABat Partner Portal to plan a survey route
NABat Training Webinar on how to upload acoustic survey data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat Training Webinar on how to upload acoustic survey data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat training webinar on scripts, tools, and resources for uploading data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat training webinar on scripts, tools, and resources for uploading data to the NABat Partner Portal. Hosted by Dane Smith (USGS).
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 1 covered data storage and management, quality assurance/control of incoming data, batch attribution and data curation, and batch processing of auto-classifiers.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 1 covered data storage and management, quality assurance/control of incoming data, batch attribution and data curation, and batch processing of auto-classifiers.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 2 covered strategies for manual vetting, transferring results to NABat, and automating cooperator reports.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
NABat Virtual Workshop: Managing Large Datasets
Day 2 covered strategies for manual vetting, transferring results to NABat, and automating cooperator reports.
Hosted by the NABat Stationary Acoustic Working Group.
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 1 - Introduction
Introduction contains background information on NABat and Florida Bonneted Bat surveys.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 1 - Introduction
Introduction contains background information on NABat and Florida Bonneted Bat surveys.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List)
linkRecording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List)
linkRecording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 2 - Creating an NABat Project and Species List
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part - 3 External Roost Surveys)
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop (Part - 3 External Roost Surveys)
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 4 - Acoustic Surveys
This video describes how to prepare and submit acoustic data into the NABat portal.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 4 - Acoustic Surveys
This video describes how to prepare and submit acoustic data into the NABat portal.
Spreaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 5 - Uploading Acoustic Data
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 5 - Uploading Acoustic Data
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 6 - Finish Submitting Project
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Recording of the Florida Bonneted Bat Data Submission Workshop: Part 6 - Finish Submitting Project
Speaker: Roxanne Pourshoushtari (USGS)
Presentation contributors and moderators: Laura D’Acunto (USGS) and Sandra Sneckenberger (FWS)
Training Webinar, hosted by Frank Tousley (Student Service Contractor for USGS) and Dane Smith on Creating an NABat Partner Portal Project.
Training Webinar, hosted by Frank Tousley (Student Service Contractor for USGS) and Dane Smith on Creating an NABat Partner Portal Project.
Training webinar, hosted by Bethany Straw, on using the NABat Partner Portal Cell Selection Tool.
Training webinar, hosted by Bethany Straw, on using the NABat Partner Portal Cell Selection Tool.
Training webinar, hosted by Kathryn Irvine, on Understanding the NABat Master Sample.
Training webinar, hosted by Kathryn Irvine, on Understanding the NABat Master Sample.
Using mobile acoustic monitoring and false-positive N-mixture models to estimate bat abundance and population trends
Assessing bridges, culverts, and tunnels for bat presence and use
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) mobile acoustic transect surveys standard operating procedure 3—Conducting mobile transect surveys
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) mobile acoustic transect surveys standard operating procedure 1—Locating and establishing mobile transect routes
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Mobile Acoustic Transect Surveys Standard Operating Procedure 2—Field Season and Survey Preparation
NABat ML: Utilizing deep learning to enable crowdsourced development of automated, scalable solutions for documenting North American bat populations
Status and trends of North American bats: Summer occupancy analysis 2010-2019
• We developed an analytical pipeline supported by web-based infrastructure for integrating continental scale bat monitoring data (stationary acoustic, mobile acoustic, and capture records) to estimate summer (May 1–Aug 31) occupancy probabilities and changes in occupancy over time for 12 North American bat species. This serves as one of multiple lines of evidence that inform the status and trends