WildSOUND has just made its first public appearance! We were invited to take part in an event organised by ECONTROVERTIA, an organisation dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and encouraging people to take a break from technology in order to reconnect with nature.
The event marked the closing of a programme carried out in a local high school, where students explored environmental themes and reflected on their relationship with the natural world. For WildSOUND, it was an amazing opportunity to connect with young people, share the aims of our research, and spark curiosity about the acoustic dimension of the environment.
WildSOUND was presented alongside another exciting initiative led by Fondazione Edmund Mach: the TrentiNOISE project. This work will lead to the creation of an app called ACUME (ACUstic Meter for Ecosystem and human health), funded by Fondazione VRT. Using the power of artificial intelligence, ACUME will feature a real-time detector capable of measuring biophony (sounds from living organisms), geophony (natural sounds like wind and rain), and anthropophony (sounds from human activities).
We showcased some of the sounds we record — from birdsong to wind, and even the subtle hum of human activity — to illustrate how soundscapes can tell powerful stories about the health of an ecosystem. Engaging with students and the local community is at the heart of our outreach mission, and this event was the perfect way to start.
And this is just the beginning! We have many more activities planned in the coming months, starting with Researchers’ Night at Science Museum Trento (MUSE) on 26 September, followed by a Soundscape Event organised by Agenzia Provinciale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente (APPA) in Levico on 17 October. Stay tuned — there’s much more to listen to!
Virginia presenting the first data collected during the pilot study
Franesca introducing the projects being carried out at FEM
Federico winner of one of the quiz rounds
Federico and Francesca talking about the project at FEM