Local radio stations ask young listeners to help them record sounds of nature in Ireland

The initiative to gather data on climate issues will contribute to the 'Ours to Protect' climate change series of programmes which has just begun. Picture: iStock

Radio stations across Ireland are participating with young people to record the sounds of nature across Ireland, mapping the sonic landscape of the natural world as part of programming on climate change and the environment.

The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland has partnered with the Institute for Climate Sound & Society at Harvard University to enable 16 local radio stations to come together to use sophisticated sound recording technologies to gather data on climate issues as part of the 'Ours to Protect' climate change series of programmes which has just commenced.

This sonic data is being gathered using technology that can capture sound both on land and in marine environments for months at a time.

Local knowledge

The radio stations have been working with schools and youth organisations to determine where to place the recording devices and what species or ecosystems to monitor, based on local knowledge.

The recordings will then be analysed by scientists from Harvard and Copenhagen universities who will be able to use the data to identify species and to support the study of biodiversity and monitoring animals and plants in danger of extinction.

The initiative arose out of a meeting between the radio series project director Nessa McGann and Harvard Fellow Kara Oehler at an international conference.

Kara Oehler said: “The small devices, about the same physical size as a wallet, are sensitive enough to record the tiniest sounds made by plants as well as animals in the areas where they are placed. They can record weeks of sounds.”

The following stations are all taking part in this programme series: Clare FM, Classic Hits, East Coast FM, Galway Bay FM, Highland Radio, KCLR, LMFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106.8FM, Tipp FM, and WLR.