With the Science Communication funding program, the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) provides funding for researchers to launch new communication activities for FWF-funded projects. Of the 35 proposals (€3 million), the jury was particularly impressed by four communication projects, including a project by WoBio member Bea Maas, who was awarded €400,000 for her project "SoundsWild: Rediscovering Birds & Bats". Congratulation to her!

WKP 193 "SoundsWild: Rediscovering Birds & Bats"

The SoundsWild project is about biodiversity, nature conservation and sustainability. Biologist Bea Maas' concept is aimed at schoolchildren throughout Austria, who learn about and experience the value of biodiversity using the example of the ecosystem services provided by birds and bats. In participatory workshops at schools, children and young people aged 6 to 18 build their own ultrasound detectors under expert guidance. They then use these in a mini-excursion outdoors to identify bird calls and bat calls. All observations and what the discovered species have to offer are discussed in detail afterwards. In addition to the workshops, the students are invited to work independently and creatively on birds or bats. With their contributions, they can then take part in a creative competition. The SoundsWild project cooperates with prestigious partners such as the Schönbrunn Zoo and the artist Dominik Eulberg. Media support is provided through the project's own digital communication channels (project website, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) and press relations.

More information on the FWF-website [in German]:
https://www.fwf.ac.at/de/news-presse/news/nachricht/nid/20221207