Presbyterian College Takes Flight in Conservation Efforts with New Wildlife Tracking Station

The Motus tower, established this fall, allows scientists to monitor the movements of small migratory animals like birds, bats, and insects, offering invaluable insights into their migratory patterns and habitats.

The project marks a meaningful homecoming for Dr. Daniel Hanks, a 1999 graduate of Presbyterian College, whose career as a researcher and conservationist was shaped by his time at the school. Hanks played a pivotal role in facilitating the installation, connecting the college with conservation partners at Nemours Wildlife Foundation and other organizations.

FILLING A KEY CONSERVATION GAP

Motus towers are part of a global network of wildlife tracking stations that detect the signals of lightweight radio transmitters attached to animals. These transmitters provide researchers with data on the animals’ movements across vast landscapes, helping to bridge data gaps that hinder conservation planning.

“The Motus tower installed at PC helped fill a spatial gap in the network, allowing for a more continuous dataset across space and through time,” Hanks explained. “Understanding migratory pathways for various species is incredibly important for conservation efforts. It helps identify critical habitats and directs resources to protect lands that support species’ life cycles.”

The PC tower has already contributed to this goal. Hanks noted one Wood Thrush that was detected at the campus tower during its migration from Costa Rica to Pennsylvania and back. This data underscores the importance of filling coverage gaps in the Motus network, ensuring researchers have a complete picture of migration routes.

Heather Kraus, education and outreach coordinator for the Nemours Wildlife Foundation, emphasized how the technology provides new opportunities for studying smaller species.

“The lightweight tags used in the Motus system make it possible to track animals like warblers and butterflies that historically couldn’t be studied using traditional methods,” Kraus said. “This opens up new possibilities for understanding how these species move across the landscape and adapt to changing environmental conditions.”

The Motus tower on the roof of the James H. Thomason Library.

PC’S ROLE IN THE PROJECT

The decision to place a Motus station at PC was a strategic one. Kraus reached out to Dr. Stuart Gordon, chair of the Biology Department, in late 2021 to discuss the possibility of hosting a tower on campus. With funding from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, Nemours aimed to create a “digital fence line” of Motus towers along South Carolina’s I-26 corridor. Presbyterian College was ideally positioned to fill a critical gap in the network.

After consulting with PC faculty and staff, Kraus and her team determined that the roof of the college library offered the perfect location. It provided the necessary power, internet access, and clear sightlines to maximize the tower’s detection range, which extends about 15 kilometers. Staff from the college, including Doug Wallace and his team, played a key role in facilitating the installation, assisting with site visits and transporting the equipment to the roof.

Since its installation, the PC Motus station has detected 33 individual animals across 16 species, demonstrating its value as a resource for researchers studying migratory patterns.

A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION FOR ALUMNUS

For Hanks, the project is more than a professional achievement—it’s a personal milestone. Reconnecting with his alma mater in a way that advances conservation efforts has been deeply rewarding.

“My time as a student and faculty member at PC shaped who I am and provided direction for my career,” Hanks said. “To connect the Motus towers, an important conservation initiative, to PC, a place where I feel a deep connection, is quite incredible. It brings me immense joy.”

Hanks credits PC’s emphasis on service and community engagement for laying the foundation for his work as a conservationist.

“Conservation is about service—service to the environment and the species that depend on it,” he said. “It’s fulfilling to see PC’s values reflected in this partnership.”

ADVANCING CONSERVATION IN A CHANGING WORLD

The data collected by the Motus network has far-reaching implications for conservation planning. By understanding where species breed, feed, and rest during their migrations, researchers can identify which areas are most critical to protect. This knowledge is especially crucial as climate change continues to alter migratory routes and habitat availability.

“Data gaps can lead to misguided conservation actions,” Hanks noted. “The Motus network helps ensure that efforts are targeted in the right places, creating a system of resilient landscapes that support biodiversity even as environmental conditions shift.”

Kraus echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project. “Nemours Wildlife Foundation’s mission is to facilitate conservation through partnerships like this one,” she said. “The PC tower is a perfect example of how collaboration can expand our understanding of wildlife movement and guide effective conservation strategies.”

LOOKING AHEAD

As the PC Motus station continues to gather data, its impact is expected to grow. The information it collects will contribute to a larger body of research, supporting efforts to address biodiversity loss on a global scale.

For Hanks, the tower is also a symbol of what can be achieved through partnership and shared purpose. “It’s a reminder that we can all play a role in conservation,” he said. “Whether it’s a scientist, a student, or a college that provides a space for this work to happen, every contribution matters.”

Presbyterian College’s involvement in this project demonstrates its commitment to fostering initiatives that benefit both the environment and the community. With the Motus tower now in place, the college is poised to make a lasting contribution to the understanding and protection of migratory species.

About Nemours Wildlife Foundation

Nemours Wildlife Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to advancing conservation and human well-being in the ACE Basin and beyond. Through scientific research, leadership development, and experiential education, the foundation works to promote sustainable management and biodiversity conservation across the region.