Climbers for Bat Conservation believes in the necessary connections between humans and nature. The citizen science focus of CBC is recognition and celebration of that connection. We recognize that wildlife conservation is linked to issues of social justice and we strive to include a broad community of voices and values to conserve bats and climbing for future generations. In particular, CBC believes inclusion of marginalized and underrepresented identities is essential to building a more-diverse community and creating a greater chance of success in bat and climbing conservation. We are committed to fostering a culturally-responsive, inclusive, and equitable organization.

CBC is committed to the following:

  • Taking actions and making decisions that improve the diversity, equity, and inclusivity of the bat biology and climbing community, within our organization and in collaborations with the broader climbing and bat biology community

  • Fostering a culture of learning around diversity, equity, and inclusivity at CBC and the communities and partners with which we interact.

  • Building our understanding of how we can increase the resources that serve underrepresented communities and representing marginalized voices in climbing and bat conservation

About Us


Rob Schorr – Director/Conservation Biologist

Rob Schorr is a conservation biologist and research associate at the Colorado State University, and he is the director of Climbers for Bat Conservation. His research focusses on population ecology of rare and lesser-known mammals, like bats. He has monitored little brown bat colonies using radio-frequency identification tags and collaborated with rock climbers to study bat roost use. He develops projects for undergraduate students and mentors the students through their own conservation biology research. Rob is new to climbing, but can struggle his way up 5.8s, and when climbing in Red River Gorge saw his first bat along cliffs. When Rob is not playing with rare mammals he likes bird watching, backpacking, reading, climbing, and fly fishing. Rob’s work website: https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/rschorr/

SEDALIA, COLORADO – Colorado Natural Heritage Program zoologist Rob Schorr preparing to catch bats (Photo by Daniel Brenner/Special to the Denver Post)
(Photo by David McGowan, Ravenswood Media)

Shawn Davis – Professor (Human Dimensions of Natural Resources)/ Co-founder

Dr. Shawn K. Davis is an assistant professor in the Parks and Recreation Department.  Shawn grew up on the Chesapeake Bay where he worked as a US Coast Guard licensed boat captain in the fields of environmental and adventure education. He later moved to Colorado to pursue a masters degree in human dimensions of natural resources through a fellowship program with Walking Mountains Science Center. Shawn’s Ph.D. research at Colorado State University involved investigating place-based educational strategies for communicating climate change in America’s National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges. Shawn specializes in environmental communication and his current research involves people’s perceptions of iconic images of climate change. Outside of the classroom, Shawn enjoys sailing, rock climbing, backpacking, trail running, hunting, skiing, biking, and living sustainably with his family. Shawn’s academic website: https://www.sru.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/ches/departments/parks-and-conservation/faculty-and-staff

shawn davis

Bernadette Kuhn – Senior Environmental Planner/co-founder

Bernadette Kuhn is an environmental scientist who hails from the centrally isolated prairies of northern Kansas. She is a co-founder of Climbers for Bat Conservation project, its inception brought on by late night conversations monitoring bats in caves with Rob and Jeremy. She serves as a Senior Environmental Planner and Restoration Project Manager at the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. She dreams of healthy rivers, restored prairies, and starting a toad-focused ecotourism business.

bernadette kuhn

Emily Gross – Graduate student/researcher (Colorado State Univ.)

Hi, my name is Emily (she/her/hers)! I’m a Cincinnati native, but I have spent the majority of my adult life traveling, recreating, or working in a wide variety of conservation jobs across the country. I initially heard about Climbers for Bat Conservation in a Rock and Ice article, and was super stoked to find a way to meaningfully contribute to the organization. For my research, I am interested in learning how to effectively encourage conservation action from the climbing community. While there are so many things to love about rock climbing, my absolute favorite is the community aspect. As a group, we have a great opportunity to do good things and I hope to continue encouraging positive relationships between climbers, biologists, landowners, and bats! When I am not climbing and/or talking your ear off about bats, I love getting outside, reading light-hearted memoirs, playing Catan, and walking my dog Jolene.

emily gross

Morgan Siebka – Graduate student/researcher (Slippery Rock Univ.)

Morgan Siebka is a graduate student/ researcher with CBC. She has been involved in the natural sciences and research realm since undergrad. After earning her B.S. from Florida Southern College in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies she worked in various states for a variety of labs and research projects. In 2020 Morgan was accepted into Slippery Rock University’s dual master’s program for Environmental Education and Parks and Natural Resource Management. Her research advisor is Dr. Shawn Davis, and through several classes she became involved in CBC and was able to begin producing a research project with Rob and Dr. Davis and other volunteer researchers through CBC. Morgan has enjoyed participating in the CBC research and outreach and collected climber data from the East Coast during Summer, 2021. If you have questions about her career thus far or the program at SRU her email is mxs1150@sru.edu.