The "Silent Woods" Audit
Original Mission created by RENSIC.
Submit Your Research MissionMission Overview
There is a widespread claim that North American bird populations are plummeting, often referred to as the "3 Billion Birds" crisis. Studies suggest a net loss of nearly 3 billion birds, or 29% of the abundance, since 1970. Songbirds, including sparrows, warblers, and finches, are reportedly among the hardest hit due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate shifts. However, scientists and conservationists urgently need decentralized, "Ground Truth" data from everyday backyards and local woods to verify if specific species are truly disappearing at these rates, or if they are simply shifting their migratory ranges and adapting to new environments.
The "Silent Woods" Audit aims to crowdsource this verification. By collecting short, geo-tagged audio recordings at dawn, we can build a decentralized "Vocal Density Map" that proves whether birds are actually disappearing in specific zip codes.
Primary Objective
To collect "Ground Truth" audio data from backyards and local woods at dawn to verify bird population claims and create a Vocal Density Map over a 12-month period.
Scope
Local backyards and woods across various zip codes. No special kit needed, just a smartphone.
Goal
Over 12 months, Rensic can show a "Vocal Density Map" that proves whether birds are actually disappearing in a specific zip code.
Mandatory Tools First
In order to participate in Missions, you will need at least one of these two apps for all missions. Other specialized tools may be required by the Mission:
ProofMode
A lightweight app that turns your phone into a secure evidence-gathering device by automatically adding cryptographic signatures and metadata.
proofmode.orgPhyphox
An open-source physics application developed by RWTH Aachen University that utilizes your smartphone's sensors for data collection.
phyphox.orgWhen you download the apps, this is what you need to do before you use them:
- Phyphox: Audio Spectrum / Amplitude set to record.
- ProofMode: Video set to 1080 30fps. DO NOT use 4K video.
Open Source Forensic Tools (Digital & Network Analysis):
Audacity
An open-source, cross-platform audio software for multi-track recording and editing. Essential for analyzing the acoustic signatures of bird calls captured during the mission.
audacityteam.orgQGIS
A free and open-source geographic information system (GIS) application. Required for visualizing and analyzing the GPS-tagged heat map of "Vocal Density."
qgis.orgFor additional operational resources, consult the Tools and Testing, Ethical Testing Guide, Verification Guide, and Smart Contracts pages.
Field Audit & OSINT Protocol
Directive SW-01: Dawn Chorus Audio Data Collection
I. Task for the User
Record 5 Minutes of Audio at dawn (the "Dawn Chorus"). To prevent noise contamination and capture accurate wildlife data, the recording location must be 10-12 miles from an urban area.
App Requirements: Use ProofMode (running alongside your audio recording app or Phyphox) to automatically register cryptographic geotagging metadata (day, time, and precise GPS location). Location services should be explicitly enabled.
II. Human Verification & Research Brief
No special kit is needed, but human verification is essential. Along with your audio, your research submission must include a brief detailing the day, time, location, and your personal observations (e.g., noting if you physically saw any of the birds identified by the AI, weather conditions, or other environmental factors). Any submitted documented info should also include a name.
Geotag & Submission: Please ensure your audio file retains its geotag metadata. Email your audio file and research brief to info@rensic.com.
III. The Action
Verified results constitute contract fulfillment. Payout $5 for a verified 5-minute recording (total 30 tasks) via PayPal. Rewards are limited to one submission per Researcher/PayPal account. Restricted to US only.
Milestones
This mission is structured in three progressive milestones to ensure systematic and verifiable mapping of the "3 Billion Birds" crisis.
Milestone 1: The Pilot Data Collection (Seed Round)
$150Deliverable: 30 Verified Submissions
- The Mission: Establish the baseline. We need 30 verified 5-minute dawn chorus recordings from rural areas. This proves the protocol works and establishes our initial dataset.
- Donor Value: You are funding the proof-of-concept. Without this initial data, we cannot scale the operation or attract larger grants.
Milestone 2: National Geographic Reach (Growth Phase)
$5,000Deliverable: 1,000 Verified Tests Nationwide
- The Mission: Scale the operation. We need to fund 1,000 verified recordings spread evenly across diverse rural zip codes in the US to provide a statistically significant, coast-to-coast snapshot.
- Donor Value: You are funding the "connective tissue." This phase turns isolated recordings into an undeniable, nationwide density map of avian populations.
Milestone 3: Expert AI Cross-Validation (The Endgame)
$10,000Deliverable: Independent Data Science Report
- The Mission: The final synthesis. We will run the massive 1,000-file audio dataset through secondary, premium ornithological AI models and hire independent data scientists to cross-validate the findings.
- Donor Value: The kill shot. Your funds directly sponsor the creation of undeniable, verifiable data packages for further analysis that significantly increase the scientific rigor of our final report.
Mission Downloads
The following files are pre-configured specifically for The "Silent Woods" Audit. Citizen Researchers can use these templates to compile legally verifiable, corroborating evidence for submission to municipal authorities or courts.
Submission Requirements
Citizen Researchers are required to submit these two files (completely filled out; the .json is pre-filled with Mission-specific metadata) alongside the raw evidence Phyphox .csv file and the ProofMode video file for full review, validation, and payment.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Follow this step-by-step checklist to ensure your audio recordings are forensically valid and free from artificial noise contamination.
1 Preparation & App Setup
- Timing: Plan your recording for exactly 30 minutes before local sunrise (the "Dawn Chorus"). Check your local weather app for the exact time.
- Phyphox Setup: Open Phyphox, select "Audio Spectrum", and ensure it is ready to record.
- ProofMode Setup: Open ProofMode and ensure it is active and ready to capture metadata.
- Device Prep: Ensure your smartphone is fully charged. Put your phone in "Do Not Disturb" or "Airplane Mode" to prevent notifications from ruining the audio.
2 Site Selection & Placement
- Location: Choose a spot in your backyard or local woods away from immediate artificial noise (AC units, busy roads, running water).
- Placement: Place the phone on a stable, flat surface (like a table, stump, or tripod) at least 3 feet off the ground. Do NOT hold the phone in your hand.
- Orientation: Ensure the microphone is unobstructed.
3 The Recording Process
- Start ProofMode: Take a photo of the recording setup/location using ProofMode to establish the baseline metadata and timestamp.
- Start Audio: Start the audio recording in Phyphox.
- Silence: Step away from the phone. Remain completely silent for the entire 5-minute duration. Do not walk around, talk, or make noise.
- Stop & Save: After exactly 5 minutes, stop the recording in Phyphox and save the data. Export the audio file.
4 Documentation & Submission
- Metadata: Fill out the provided Evidence Metadata JSON file with your specific mission details.
- Verification: Ensure the ProofMode zip file contains the initial photo and all cryptographic metadata.
- Upload: Upload the Phyphox audio file, the ProofMode zip file, and the completed JSON metadata file to the RENSIC portal.
Mission Budget Breakdown
Total Funding Necessary: $150
The money will be used for the Rewards. Payout $5 for a verified 5-minute recording (total 30 tasks) via PayPal.
Mission Timeline
Mission Created
The "Silent Woods" Audit initialized. Initial funding round opened.
Data Collection Phase
Users record 5-minute audio clips at dawn.
Vocal Density Map Generation
Over 12 months, Rensic will show a "Vocal Density Map".
Activity Log
Mission started. Awaiting first submissions.
Audit Results
Results will be populated as verified data is collected.
How do you want to participate?
This is a Live Test Mission and needs 30 people to do a quick test (takes 5 minutes; see Overview and Protocol tabs). We'll pay $5 via PayPal - no catch - to the first 30 people who send their results to our email info@rensic.com.
Minimum contribution: $10.00
This mission is currently in manual funding phase. All contributions are tracked publicly. Full platform automation launching Q3 2026.
NOTE: All transactions are securely processed and tracked for Escrow services.
Milestone 1 is Fully Funded! Any new contributions will be applied directly toward the next Milestone.