Bat Houses for National Forests: Connecting Bats, People & Public Lands

Wings Across the Americas

age 16 and older, fed, photographed or Forest Service experience and expertise observed wildlife in 2011 and spent nearly to improve bird conservation at home and $55 billion on their activities. abroad. Scarce federal dollars are leveraged Birds are indicators of national and inter- through partnerships with other agencies, national environmental health and trends. non-governmental conservation organiza- Unfortunately, many bird populations are tions, local communities and private/corpo- significantly declining due to habitat loss, rate sources, both in the United States and climate change, development, fragmenta- abroad, to ensure long-term sustainable tion, invasive species, and other causes projects that benefit birds throughout their both here and abroad. range.

The 193 million acres of National Forests Conserving Bats Worldwide and Grasslands managed by the US Forest Bats are vital to the health of ecosystems Service are critical to maintaining bird and human economies worldwide. As populations. However, more than 350 bird primary predators of night-flying insects, The US Forest Service— species migrate to Latin America and the bats consume enormous quantities of National Forest System, State & Private Caribbean each year. Habitat conservation agricultural pests and reduce the need for Forestry, Research & Development and on our nation’s forests and grasslands is not chemical pesticides. Some bats are critical International Programs—works with a wide sufficient. Conservation is needed range- pollinators and seed dispersers for plants, range of partners here in the United States wide, in breeding, migration and wintering many with great economic value such as and overseas to conserve habitats and areas, to ensure habitat and populations; the durian (high-priced Asian fruit) or the populations of birds, bats, butterflies and otherwise, investments we make here at agave (source of tequila), closer to home in dragonflies. home for bird conservation will not be North America. enough for us to see common migrants in Conserving Priority Birds the future. Protected bat colonies all over the world Wildlife watching is an increasingly popular have become popular and valuable tourist American activity--and birding represents Wings Across the Americas invests in attractions. A colony in downtown Austin, the lion’s share. Almost 72 million people, international conservation and uses US TX, adds some $10 million tourist dollars a year to the local economy. The city boasts 2 that it is the “Bat Capital of America”. Conserving Monarch Butterflies WinGs Across the Americas Bats are threatened worldwide. Populations are The monarch butterfly is in serious decline. The in alarming decline because their colonies and loss of habitat on the wintering grounds and in Supports habitat conservation activi- habitats are destroyed both intentionally and the breeding areas is a continuing concern. In fact, ties on National Forests and Grasslands, inadvertently. Development, agriculture, climate this loss could severely affect the migration of the and from Canada’s Boreal Forest to change, and lack of scientific understanding of monarchs, as well as threaten their population. the Grasslands and Wetlands of South bat ecology lead to the inadvertent destruction of Current land use practices in the United States America; their habitats. With more than and in northern Mexico are 1,200 species, bats account for degrading the pathways. Organizes an annual awards program nearly a quarter of all mam- There are fewer milkweed to recognize conservation partnerships mals, but they are among the plants (for larvae) and nec- involving Forest Service employees and least studied. In fact, popula- tar resources (for adults) their cooperators; tion status and conservation available, and hence, fewer needs of most bats have never suitable breeding sites. Fur- Provides training opportunities for biolo- been documented. Tragically, thermore, in Canada and gists, land managers and administrators; their populations also suffer the United States, land use from intentional destruction and farming practices (i.e., Participates in national and international due to myths and misinforma- pesticides and herbicide-re- conservation initiatives; tion. sistant crops) are unfriendly to milkweed. In the over- Enables partners and Forest Service Wings Across the Americas wintering areas, habitat is employees to become more knowledge- is working to assist in bat re- threatened by deforestation able about global conservation needs. search, conservation manage- and pressure exerted by ment and capacity building to human settlements, like in maintain healthy ecosystems in our National For- areas around the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere ests and Grasslands, as well as provide US Forest Reserve. There, local communities greatly depend Service expertise and experience for bat conserva- on both the monarch and the forests for their tion internationally. Our investment at home and livelihood and identity. abroad increases our scientific knowledge of bats 7 and creates a cadre of trained scientists and man- As part of the Wings Across the Americas pro- agers to conserve an important group of mammals gram, the US Forest Service is working with that is often ignored by conservation planners. partners to address habitat issues in Canada, the

US and Mexico for the monarch, through the Monarch Joint Venture and educa- tional and outreach efforts for inner city youth and wildlife biologists.

Protecting Dragonflies and Wetland Habitats Although dragonflies are an endless source of fascination, they have received little attention from biologists. Consequently, little is known about them. Flying over ponds, streams and rivers, these charismatic species are derived from an ancient order of insects that emerged 300 million years ago. Fossil records show that little has changed in their design over time. Dragonflies are efficient predators. They use their extendable lower lip and teeth to snag mosquito larvae, tadpoles and even small fish. They are used as indicator species for assessing habitat and water quality in wetlands, riparian forests and lakeshore habitat around the world. In North America, citizen monitoring networks—involving teachers, school groups, birders, nature societies and other partners—are form- ing to gather information and to collect data on dragonflies.

In North America, there are 5 common migrating dragonfly species. There is not, however, much information on the natural history or ecology of their migration. The best known of these five species is the Common Green Darner, which travels south in the fall and whose offspring return in the spring. Various reports have specified migrations of the Common Green Darners in Chicago, IL; Cape May, NJ; Crescent Beach, FL; and Veracruz, Mexico.

Through the Wings Across the Americas program, the US Forest Service has launched the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership, a flyway-level collaborative project that will increase awareness of the importance of dragonflies and their habitats as well as link projects and partners in Canada, the United States and Mexico for research, monitoring, capacity building, outreach and education. Recently, scientists and conservationists with an interest and expertise in migrating dragonfly research convened to discuss issues related to its migration in Canada, Mexico and the United States. A Migratory Dragonfly Action Plan that includes research, citizen science and education priorities related to migration, range shifts due to climate change and conservation of key habitats in North America is being developed.

Multi-scale Landscape Approach for Studying the Secondary Effects of White-nose Syndrome in Bats of the Upper Midwest

In 2014, the US Forest Service began an Michigan may be able to provide valuable innovative partnership to help bat popula- information about movement details. In tions across the Upper Midwest in re- addition, bat wing tissue biopsies from little sponse to the continued spread of white- brown bats may identify potential immu- nose syndrome (WNS). A team of scientists nity (or adaptation) to WNS and determine and managers have been developing the whether the diversity of naturally occur- science and tools required to recover and ring skin microbiota on bats could slow conserve bat populations. Together, the down or resist growth of the WNS fungus. partners involved in this effort are explor- Conservation of disease-resistant popula- ing the interactions between bats and tions will be important to recovery. These their environment. They are investigating bats will be valuable in passing along WNS regional movements and habitat use by resistance across landscapes and genera- bats are more susceptible to WNS. integrating large-scale, seasonal movement tions. Obtaining these samples involved patterns with smaller-scale habitat infor- the participation and collaboration of many Genetic information has been used to un- mation. biologists from the Wisconsin, Michigan derstand seasonal movement patterns by and Minnesota Department of Natural associating individual bats captured from Although it is well known that bats migrate Resources, several US Forest Service units, summer areas with a specific hibernacula, from summer roosting sites to winter and universities. or areas where they spend the winters. hibernacula, not much is known about the Greater understanding of this relation- details of movement patterns, the paths Wing biopsies are currently needed to ob- ship will allow land managers to restore or taken, and habitats used during migration. tain genetic samples, yet there is concern improve these habitat areas, especially for Through genetic analysis, scientists are try- about their impact on the animals. Those federally endangered and threatened spe- ing to answer these questions. Tissue sam- involved in this partnership are develop- cies. Sound forest management can play ples, for example, from little brown bats ing methods for isolating DNA from cheek a key role in providing and/or enhancing (Myotis lucifugus) and northern long-eared swabs, which are less invasive. If success- habitats and to maximize insect availability bats (Myotis septentrionalis) in winter ful, the approach can be adopted by other during spring emergence and fall swarm- hibernacula and summer roosting locations researchers and potentially lower handling ing. The availability of such food resources across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Upper stress of bats, especially in caves where in the general vicinity of hibernacula can be

6 activity across all land ownerships. Using award winners both mobile and stationary acoustic monitoring methods within each study grid, bat • Deahn Donner, activity patterns can be examined in rela- Northern Research Station, tion to the surrounding landscape (habitat). US Forest Service By integrating this information with local- scale timber management activities, we • Brian Heeringa, can gain valuable insight into how bats use Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest the habitats. This in turn can guide future and Northern Research Station, management planning and implementation US Forest Service by ensuring that adequate protections and mitigations are in place to protect those • Paula Marquardt, habitat features favored by bats, especially Northern Research Station, during the first 14 days of spring emer- US Forest Service gence, as that period of a bat’s life-cycle is critically important to bats affected by WNS crucial when recovering from WNS. • Daniel Eklund, as they emerge in spring and attempt to Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, restore body fat and repair tissue damage Lastly, the collaborators on this program US Forest Service from WNS infection. are working to complete a full-genome mapping of the northern long-eared bat. • Dan Lindner, Additionally under this partnership, there Unfortunately, this information is currently Northern Research Station, has been acoustic monitoring to evaluate not available for this species, which is why US Forest Service bat activity patterns and habitat use at the many studies use little brown bats as sur- landscape scale. The principal investigators rogates. • Jacquelyn Frair, established numerous study grids on the SUNY College of Environmental Science Chequamegon-Nicolet (WI) and Ottawa and Forestry (MI) National Forests using the framework established by the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat). The NABat is a continent-wide, grid-based survey composed of both fixed-plot and driving acoustic transects to monitor trends in bat

11 • Ben Prom, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

• Michelle Jusino, Northern Research Station, US Forest Service

• Bill Scullon, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

• Mike Scafini, Pennsylvania Game Commission

• Kari Kirshbaum, Chippewa National Forest, US Forest Service

• Alyssa Bennett, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

certificate recipients • Jennifer Redell, • Carl Herzog, Wisconsin Department of Natural New York State Department of • Tim Catton, Resources Environmental Conservation Superior National Forest, US Forest Service • Jon Palmer, Northern Research Station, • J. Paul White, US Forest Service Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

812 11 held in perpetuity by ports a new population of the federally the State of Wis- endangered Kirtland’s Warbler. Wis- consin. This Legacy consin, Michigan and Ontario, Canada, Forest spans across have the only documented nesting four counties in pairs of this species in the world. The northwestern Wis- project area is one of five counties in consin and includes Wisconsin with recently documented the headwaters of warbler sightings. Kirtland’s Warblers’ both the St. Croix limited nesting requirements, requir- National Scenic River ing both specific tree species and soil and the Bois Brule conditions (young jack pine forests River. It represents a growing on a special type of sandy missing puzzle piece soil), make the protection and proper of protected lands management of their habitat critical across the Great to their survival. In order to maintain Lakes states, because this important habitat, fire is a required it links together a management tool. nearly 1 million acre expanse of protected The permanent easement ensures that lands. large blocks of Pine Barrens habitat will be maintained at different successional Much of the ease- stages and managed on a rotational ba- ment area lies sis to meet the habitat requirements of within one of the best all the species that rely on the property landscapes in North during breeding and migratory seasons. America to restore Having a variety of successional stages the globally rare Pine enhances the globally rare Pine Barrens Barrens community. community and complements manage- This unique ecosys- ment schemes of adjacent public lands. Brule St. Croix Legacy Forest tem supports a high number of species, In 2013, much of the property burned. The Brule St. Croix Legacy Forest is a including Sharp-tailed Grouse, the fed- Significant habitat benefits have re- 65,867-acre conservation initiative erally endangered Kirtland’s Warbler sulted from the wildfire. Charred and started by the State of Wisconsin in and 28 species found on the Wisconsin standing dead trees provide foraging 2012 and completed with the coopera- state list of Species of Greatest Con- areas for woodpeckers to eat insects tion of the US Forest Service’s Forest servation Need, including the Vesper that are attracted to the trees. Large Legacy Program. It contains valuable Sparrow and Brown Thrasher. areas of salvage provide nesting habitat water resources and wildlife habitat for grassland bird species in the initial that will remain undeveloped under a Wisconsin Pine Barrens habitat sup- years following harvest. Declining Forest Legacy conservation easement

814 North Country National Scenic Trail. Construction efforts underway will eventually make the North Country Trail the longest of the 11 National Scenic Trails, with 4,600 miles spanning seven states. The conservation easement on the Brule St. Croix Legacy Forest was endorsed by a diverse coalition. In addition to support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the US Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, supporting parties also include: former US Senator Herb Kohl, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway-US Department of Interior-National Parks Service, North Country Trail Associa- tion, former Wisconsin Senator Bob Jauch, Wisconsin Representative Nick Milroy, The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Wisconsin Sharp- species such as Sharp-tailed Grouse in Bird Conservation Region 12: Boreal tailed Grouse Society, Douglas County are known to be breeding in the area Hardwood Transition, the main breed- Department of Forestry, Gathering Wa- and will benefit from the fire. As the ing region for Kirtland’s, Golden-winged ters Conservancy, Partners in Forestry wildfire-affected areas regenerate with and Connecticut Warblers, all of which Cooperative, Bayfield Regional Con- brush and small trees, brushland birds breed in the Brule-St. Croix Legacy For- servancy, St. Croix River Association, such as Brown Thrashers, Eastern To- est. In addition, this forest provides a Washburn County Lakes and Rivers As- whees and Clay-colored Sparrows will significant wildlife corridor for species, sociation, Friends of the Bird Sanctuary use the area for nesting. such as white-tailed deer, black bear (Douglas County Wildlife Management and migratory songbirds, and links Area), Friends of the Hunt Hill Audu- The Brule St. Croix Legacy Forest lies existing conservation lands, including bon Sanctuary, Inc, and the Brule River within the focus area of the US Fish and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Preservation Inc. Wildlife Service’s Upper Mississippi Riv- Brule River State Forest and county er and Great Lakes Joint Venture, which forests. aims to achieve healthy populations of all birds through regional conserva- In addition, the Property permanently tion. Brule St. Croix Legacy Forest is protects a one-mile segment of the

15 award winners • Department of Natural Resources, State of Wisconsin • Tony Ferguson, Forest Legacy Program, • Amy Singh, Northeastern Area State and Private Wisconsin Forest Legacy Program, Forestry, US Forest Service Department of Natural Resources, State of Wisconsin • Mark Buccowich, Forest Legacy Program, • Division of Forestry, Northeastern Area State and Private Department of Natural Resources, Forestry, US Forest Service State of Wisconsin

• Jada Jackson, • Doug Haag, Forest Legacy Program, Bureau of Facilities and Lands, Northeastern Area State and Private Department of Natural Resources, Forestry, US Forest Service State of Wisconsin

• Neal Bungard, • Thomas Duffus, Forest Legacy Program, Conservation Acquisition, Northeastern Area State and Private Midwest Region, Forestry, US Forest Service The Conservation Fund

• Doreen Urquhart, • Bethany Olmstead, Forest Legacy Program, Midwest Real Estate and Working Northeastern Area State and Private Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund Forestry, US Forest Service

• Forest Legacy Program, Washington Office State and Private Forestry, US Forest Service

| Barton Fen Restoration Project, Mark Twain National Forest 1016

the floodplain. As a result, the natural Big Muddy Bottomland Habitat Improvement water table is lowered, and many historic ephemeral wetland depressions have been eliminated or degraded. In addition, the construction of large flood control levees, channelization, dredging, and other flood control measures have altered the wetland functions and functionally disconnected bottomland habitat from the river floodplain. Protected areas inside the levees lack normal water fluctuations and lose their wetland characteristics, while outside the levees, flooding occurs for longer time periods and to greater water depths, greatly reducing the productivity of the wetland.

Since 2005, the project area has been part of a coordinated management plan that The elimination and destruction of bottom- one of the largest continuous bottomland involves more than 20 agency and non-gov- land wetland habitats along the Missis- hardwood tracts in Illinois. However, the ernment partners together in the Middle sippi River floodplain has taken place at hydrology and wetland functions of this Mississippi River Partnership. Because of an alarming rate over the past 100 years, landscape have been greatly modified. The the productivity and biodiversity of the resulting in a small fraction of the acres of US Forest Service acquired the majority of site, the project area has several local and seasonally flooded bottomland habitat that its Big Muddy River floodplain tracts from national designations such as Conserva- once existed within this critically imperiled 1936 through 1938 and incorporated them tion Opportunity Area in the Illinois State landscape. This loss has harmed the diverse into the Shawnee National Forest. Before Wildlife Action Plan, wetland focus area by terrestrial and aquatic resources that de- Forest Service ownership, the emphasis the Central Hardwoods Joint Venture and pend on this habitat type. was to improve the drainage of the flood- Important Bird Area by the National Audu- plain and to control or eliminate the natu- bon Society. Within the heart of the inter- The Big Muddy River flows through ral wetland functions. Today, man-made nationally significant Mississippi Flyway, the southern Illinois into the Mississippi River. ditches still run across the landscape in all area is an important stopover, wintering, Its 13,500-acre bottomland constitutes directions and continue to rapidly drain and breeding habitat for migratory wildlife

12 scrub wetland habitat. In 2012 the Na- tional Wild Turkey Federation joined forces with the Shawnee and Ducks Unlimited to create 883.5 acres of bottomland forest habitat improvements and reforestations within the project area. Ducks Unlimited will further reforest or enhance 1,523 acres of forested, scrub-shrub, and open- water wetland habitat, while a Climate Change Adaptation Grant from the Wildlife Conservation Society in 2014 will restore or enhance 814 acres of bottomland forested habitat.

In addition to major habitat restoration before after efforts, the Shawnee National Forest is engaging partners (especially Heartlands and fish, including 5 species of geese, 17 The project goals include a comprehen- Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited) to assist species of ducks, herons, egrets and other sive plan to acquire and restore wetlands, with and develop an acquisition strategy waterbirds. enhance bottomland hardwood forests and with a goal to acquire, restore and reforest restore the hydrology of the area. Ducks sub-marginal farmlands within and adja- Since acquiring the property, the Agency Unlimited has been a major partner of the cent to the project area. has been working to restore the ecosystem Shawnee National Forest and has worked through a variety of measures. In March in this project area for more than 30 years. The Mississippi River corridor is the main 1958, the Mississippi Flyway Council issued Since May of 2009, Ducks Unlimited has spring and fall migration route for millions a “Guide for Management of Waterfowl boosted their efforts to restore and enhance of waterfowl and Neotropical songbirds in the Flyway”. As part of the response to bottomland forests and wetlands of the migrating through Illinois. These proj- these problems, the first stages of con- Shawnee. ects will provide migration and wintering struction on the Oakwood Bottoms Green- habitat for Mallards, Northern Pintails, tree Reservoir began in 1964. Oakwood From 2009 to 2014, Ducks Unlimited en- American Wigeon, Blue- and Green-winged Bottoms makes up the western half of the gineers and biologists worked with the US Teal, Gadwall, and several other waterfowl project area. Forest Service to survey, design and restore species. The thousands of acres of for- 680 acres of seasonal forested and shrub- ested, emergent, and scrub-shrub wetland

19 • Bryan King, Shawnee National Forest, US Forest Service

• Michael Sertle, Ducks Unlimited

• Eric Schenck, Ducks Unlimited

• John Burk, National Wild Turkey Federation acres identified in the project area also award winners • Dave Eustis, provide important migration and wintering Heartland Conservancy habitat for geese and ducks. The project • Allen Nicholas, also contributes to the conservation of Shawnee National Forest, • Steve Widowski, other wetland-dependent species such as US Forest Service Heartland Conservancy Red-headed Woodpecker, Little Blue Heron, Cerulean Warbler, American Woodcock and • Timothy Pohlman, certificate recipients the federally listed Indiana and northern Shawnee National Forest, long-eared bats. US Forest Service • Kenneth Mezo, In total, this project collaboration has • Mathew Lechner, Grand Tower Township Highway brought $1,331,943 of partner cash and Shawnee National Forest, in-kind contributions to match $348,562 US Forest Service • Bill Kuhnert, of US Forest Service funds resulting in over Kuhnert Farms Inc. 3,900 acres of bottomland habitat restora- • Chad Deaton, tion and enhancement. Partnerships make Shawnee National Forest, it possible. US Forest Service

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Kirtland’s Warbler Recovery Team chanical and manual methods to plant seedlings or by encouraging natural regeneration. Over a forty year period, an estimated 100,000 acres have been managed to recover this species.

Due to significant Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism and resulting low Kirtland’s Warbler fledging rates, the US Fish and Wildlife Service began trapping and removing cowbirds from Kirtland’s Warbler nesting areas in 1972. After the cowbird control program began, parasitized nests dropped to 10% while average number of young per nest rose to 2.7. By all accounts, the trapping program was extremely effective and likely prevented the species’ extinction. Approximately 60 cow- Modern fire suppression has substan- depend. Therefore, intensive habitat bird traps are placed and maintained tially decreased the frequency and size management activities that mimic the in or adjacent to Kirtland’s Warbler of wildfires in the jack pine ecosystem. regenerative effects of wildfire are criti- breeding habitat on state and federal It has consequently restricted the cal to maintaining the Kirtland’s War- lands in the northern Lower Peninsula amount of breeding habitat naturally bler population. of Michigan and on commercial forest produced for Kirtland’s Warbler, which lands in central Wisconsin. breeds primarily in Michigan with a few Managers typically develop Kirtland’s pairs in Wisconsin and Ontario. While Warbler breeding habitat by harvesting Kirtland’s Warbler is considered a fire suppression is necessary to protect and regenerating large stands of jack conservation reliant species because it human life, property, and valuable pine trees. Approximately 3,830 acres requires ongoing habitat management natural resources, it does eliminate a are planned to be harvested annually: and cowbird control. natural disturbance factor necessary 1,560 acres on state lands and 2,270 in that ecosystem and on which many acres on federal lands. Harvested areas Kirtland’s Warbler was one of the first species of animals, plants, and insects are then reforested either by using me- species protected under the Endan-

1622 gered Species Act of 1973. A recovery Forest Service, and US Fish and Wild- award winners plan for Kirtland’s Warbler was issued life Service have been very successful in 1976 (later updated in 1985). After in recovering this bird by develop- • Huron-Manistee National Forest, the recovery plan was completed, the ing breeding habitat through timber US Forest Service Kirtland’s Warbler Recovery Team – harvest and reforestation and by with additional partners joining over controlling cowbirds. The population is • Hiawatha National Forest, the years from agencies, universities, estimated by counting singing males. In US Forest Service and non-government organizations 2015, there were 2,366 pairs—the larg- —continued to meet biannually to co- est ever recorded and ten times larger • Ottawa National Forest, ordinate habitat management actions, than the number of pairs at the time US Forest Service research, and information and educa- of listing. It is also more than double tion activities. the primary recovery objective of 1,000 • Chequamegon-Nicolet National breeding pairs. The pop-ulation has Forest, US Forest Service For the past 40 years, the Kirtland’s exceeded the recovery goal every year Warbler Recovery Team has facilitated since 2001. Such success has led to the • Carol Bocetti, the collaboration, coordination, and in- possibility of delisting the species if the California University of formation sharing that has been central necessary conservation measures can Pennsylvania to this species’ recovery. The Michigan be guaranteed into the future. Department of Natural Resources, US • Michigan Department of Natural • Daniel Kennedy, Resources Michigan Department of Natural Resources • East Lansing Field Office, US Fish and Wildlife Service • Keith Kintigh, Michigan Department of Natural • Kirtland’s Warbler Wildlife Resources Management Area, US Fish and Wildlife Service • Sara Siekierski, US Fish and Wildlife Service • Bahamas National Trust • Timothy Greco, • Environment Canada Michigan Department of Natural Resources • Huron Pines • Ken Tuininga, Environment Canada certificate recipients • Philip Huber, • Christie Deloria-Sheffield, Huron-Manistee National Forest, US Fish and Wildlife Service US Forest Service

• Daniel Eklund, • Eric Carey, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Bahamas National Trust Forest, US Forest Service • Stephen Sjogren, • Abigail Ertel, Huron Pines Hiawatha National Forest, US Forest Service

| Bat Cave Gating Project 1824

Arapaho National Recreation Area Osprey Management

The nesting Osprey population in the to Osprey management has prevented Arapaho National Recreation Area has species mortality and safe-guarded grown from 21 nesting pairs (producing electrical infrastructure for a growing 17 chicks in 1991) to 52 nesting pairs population. Bruce and US Forest Ser- (producing 56 chicks in 2015). It was es- vice staffers have coordinated: tablished in 1978 and includes 31,000 acres of public land and 4,000 acres of • Installation of 19 poles and nest private land in Grand County, Colo- platforms to successfully relocate rado. It also includes 9,000 acres of nesting pairs from electrical poles; reservoirs (Lake Granby, Monarch Lake, • Installation of longer cross-arms Shadow Mountain Lake, Meadow Creek on structures to accommodate safe Reservoir and Willow Creek Reservoir). perching next to nests; • Placement of perch guards to Electrical poles are attractive nesting discourage perching on high-risk sites for birds that want to nest at the structures; top of the tallest trees with a view of • Monofilament fishing line removal the water. Nests on active electrical from nests, and; management in the Arapaho National poles pose a danger to the birds and a • Capture assistance for a joint Rocky Recreation Area has launched a com- vulnerability to the electrical system. A Mountain Bird Observatory, Rocky munity volunteer Adopt-a-Nest pro- mountain pine beetle epidemic killed Mountain National Park and US For- gram to monitor nests for activity, the majority of tall lodgepole pines in est Service telemetry project. including incubation and chick survival the recreation area near the lakes and, as well as a volunteer Adopt-a-Monofil- as the dead trees fell down, often elec- These activities have been a catalyst in ament Collection Bin where discarded trical poles were the last tall structures neighboring Summit, Routt and Moffat fishing line is collected and recycled to available for nesting ospreys. Counties, where individuals and agen- avoid avian entanglement. cies are cooperating with their local Mountain Parks Electric, Inc., Opera- Rural Electrical Associations to install Mountain Parks Electric also provided tions Manager Bruce Van Bockern has poles and nest platforms to safeguard equipment and personnel to biologists worked closely with the Arapaho and nesting ospreys and support growing from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Roosevelt National Forests to provide populations. and Rocky Mountain National Park to safe nesting sites for the recreation capture two adult female Ospreys to area’s Ospreys. His proactive approach The success of cooperative osprey fit with telemetry harnesses for breeding season and migration data collection. Results showed when, where and how long both females migrated and that they inde- pendently followed similar routes to separate winter habitats in coastal and inland Mexico.

award winners

• Doreen Sumerlin, Sulphur Ranger District, US Forest Service

• Bruce Van Bockern, Mountain Parks Electric, Incorporated

certificate recipients • Mike Britten, Rocky Mountain Inventory and Monitoring Network, National Park Service • Jason Beason, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies • Jeff Connor, retired, Rocky Mountain National Park • Nancy Gobris, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

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of existing and the development of new, best practice management regimes at seven key sites (Important Bird Areas) within the four countries: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.

A partnership between the US Forest Service International Programs and BirdLife has focused on consolidating the Alliance to include ranchers and their business partners (There are now over 450 “rural establishment” members). The collaboration also helped refine best manage- Southern Cone Grasslands Alliance ment practices, developed a protocol for the certification of “bird-friendly” beef and estab- The temperate grasslands of southern South BirdLife International partners in the Southern lished pilot ecotourism ventures. A Certification America—or the Southern Cone—originally Cone came together to develop a large-scale, Council was formed; a label was developed; and encompassed an area of over 1 million square multinational initiative for grassland biodiversity an agreement was reached with a major meat kilometers. It was one of the richest grazing conservation. It was modeled on the North marketer in the region (Marfrig). The Alliance areas in the world, and also one of the most American Joint Venture approach and capitalized then launched a pilot certification scheme, important grassland biomes for biodiversity con- on the deep cultural roots and low biodiversity led by national coordinators and supported by servation. A key element of this biodiversity is impact of traditional cattle ranching. This highly the Certification Council—using the expertise a suite of Neotropical migrants of conservation successful initial project, supported in part by US and experience within the Alliance—as a proof concern, primarily shorebirds, which depend on Forest Service International Programs, generated of concept. By early 2014, a total of 83,475 the ecosystem for their wintering habitat. These broad interest both within the region and with hectares had been certified at 29 properties include several national Birds of Conservation several North American Joint Ventures. It began in Argentina, and 10,000 kilograms of certified Concern, such as Buff-breasted Sandpiper, with an important first exchange of experiences “bird-friendly” or “natural grasslands” beef was Swainson’s Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, American and eventually led to support from a broad being sold domestically per month (and with Golden-Plover, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellow- diversity of donors. a first export to European markets). Certifica- legs and Upland Sandpiper, and other species of tion is now underway in all four countries, with conservation concern, such as Bobolink. Now, The project identified the 20 highest priority approximately 200,000 hectares having been only a tiny percentage of their habitats in the sites for the conservation of both Neotropical certified at 300 properties. Certified beef is now Southern Cone Grasslands remain in a natural migrants and resident species and documented on sale in Brazil as well as Argentina. state, and these are increasingly threatened by fledgling best practice experiences in biodiver- Another key component of the success of the agricultural intensification. sity-friendly grassland management at sites in Alliance has been the annual meeting of natural both Brazil and Uruguay. A follow-up project fo- grasslands ranchers, or “Encuentro de Ga- In response to this dramatic loss, in 2005, the cused on the consolidation (and documentation) naderos”. First held in Bage, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil in 2007, the “encuentro” now brings to- 24 Neotropical migrants. More than 40 properties have ongoing detailed monitoring, linking • SAVE Brasil specific grassland management practices to the richness and abundance of native grassland • Ian Davidson, biodiversity (including Neotropical migrants). formerly with BirdLife International Americas Secretariat The Alliance has succeeded in developing a suite of additional tools that help maintain, manage • Fernando Adauto Loureiro de Souza and restore natural grasslands habitats. Among these is the Index of Contribution of Grassland • Doug Ryan, Conservation which is helping to support the retired, US Fish and Wildlife Service implementation of existing and new incentives for grasslands conservation, including a Pay- • BirdLife International, gether over 450 ranchers, agricultural exten- ment for Ecosystem Services effort in Paraguay. Americas Secretariat sion agents, and grassland conservationists, and provides an excellent opportunity to share award winners best management practices, exchange experi- certificate recipients ences among ranchers, and expand the network • Carol Lively, of ranchers associated with the Alliance. The retired, International Programs, • Gregory Butcher, “encuentro” has empowered the ranching com- US Forest Service International Programs, munity to become the driver and promoter of US Forest Service ranching practices that help conserve biodi- • Anibal Parera, versity (including Neotropical migrants) while BirdLife International • James Chu, improving the economic sustainability of ranch- International Programs, ing, and helping to conserve traditions and the • Nicolas Marchand Abal, US Forest Service “gaucho” culture. BirdLife International • Daniel Svingen, The grassland shorebird survey is another key • Aves Argentinas US Forest Service annual event. This volunteer-based census provides an important baseline regarding the • Aves Uruguay • Andres Bosso, importance of habitat types/management Aves Argentinas regimes for Neotropical migrant shorebirds and • Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina is starting to provide information on grassland • Santiago D’Alessio, shorebird population trends. In addition, it helps • Guyra Paraguay Aves Argentinas monitor the value of certified grasslands for • Agustín Carriquiry, • Cristina Morales, • Esteban Vasconcellos • David Wege, Aves Uruguay Guyra Paraguay BirdLife International • Carlos Nabinger Americas Secretariat • Ines Paulier, • Rogerio Jaworski dos Santos, Aves Uruguay SAVE Brasil • Adrián Azpiroz • Marcelo Pereira, Alliance Advisor • Jaqueline Goerck, • Pablo Rocca, • Adrián Di Giacomo SAVE Brasil Aves Uruguay • Michael Carroll, • Glayson Bencke retired World Bank • Pedro Develey, • Marcelo Fett Pinto, SAVE Brasil SAVE Brasil • Rafael Antúnez Dias • Justin Pepper, formerly National Audubon • Alberto Yanosky, • Lorena Sforza, • Fabían Rabufetti, Society Guyra Paraguay Guyra Paraguay Aves Argentinas • Guy Foulks, • Amiro Pérez-Leroux, • Isadora Angarita, • Diego Ocampos, US Fish and Wildlife Service BirdLife International BirdLife International Alliance Certification Council Americas Secretariat Americas Secretariat • Andrea Grosse, • Mauricio Moresco, US Fish and Wildlife Service • Guillermo Stamati, • Caroline Pridham, Alliance Certification Council Aves Argentinas BirdLife International • Garry Donaldson, • Juan María Raggio, Environment and Climate • Amanda Tapia, • José Luis Cartes, Alliance Certification Council Change Canada BirdLife International Guyra Paraguay Americas Secretariat • Ángelo Queirolo Aguinaga, • Cynthia Pekarik, • Luiza Chomenko Alliance Certification Council Environment and Climate • Gustavo Marino, Change Canada Aves Argentinas • Gerardo Evia • Fernando Miñarro, Fundación Vida Silvestre • John Beavers, • Joaquín Aldabe, • María Elena Zacagnini Argentina National Audubon Society Aves Uruguay • Carlos Hernández • Miguel Parrilla, • Carol Stork, • Esteban Carriquiry, Alliance Communications BirdLife International Aves Uruguay 26

“Green” Bat Houses for National Forests: Connecting Bats, People & Public Lands

Eating their own nization for Bat Conservation (OBC) and weight each night, General Motors Corporation (GM)—and bats are a pri- by providing stewardship opportunities for mary predator of urban audiences in the metropolitan area. vast numbers of insects, such as For example, in southeastern Michigan, the mosquitoes that Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in, hybrid compact spread disease and car, is manufactured at the Detroit/Ham- other pests that tramck Assembly. GM recognizes that the cost farmers and remaining Volt battery packaging covers foresters billions are difficult to recycle and normally end up of dollars annu- as scrap materials. Rather than sending all ally. Some bats of these materials to landfills, they have are pollinators and been reused to make houses for nesting key to the repro- bats. The outside of the bat house is made ductive survival from the Volt’s battery cover and is painted of various flower black, which allows the boxes to absorb and fruit species the sun’s heat, in turn providing a perfect around the world. environment for bats, especially young Unfortunately, bat bats. Even the screws and wood used in populations are the construction of bat boxes are origi- in decline due to nally from the pallets used in shipping Volt The existence of bats in urban areas is not loss of habitat and other threats such as parts! GM’s waste reduction expert, John new. In spite of their presence, there are the non-native invasive fungus responsible Bradburn, developed conversion plans to still many misconceptions and a lack of for white-nose syndrome, which has killed reuse the cover and worked with volun- scientific knowledge about them. Urban several million bats in less than 10 years. teers to place the bat houses at company Connections—an outreach program carried properties around the US. In urban areas, out by staff of the Eastern Region Public In the city of Detroit, building awareness of bat houses can give bats a safe alterna- and Governmental Relations Department bat conservation was a challenge that the tive to roosting in residential home attics. of the US Forest Service –has helped to US Forest Service Eastern Region’s Urban Bat houses provide these pups with a spread the word about their benefits to Connections program helped advance by chance to survive and for populations to be people and nature. connecting ongoing conservation activi- healthy. ties being done by urban partners—Orga-

28 Another example is the Great Lakes Bat Festival spearheaded by the Organization for Bat Conservation. Since 2001, volunteers have learned about bat habitats, white-nose syndrome, and other information about these unique mammals. For the past 4 years, volunteers have learned to put together “green” (and black) bat houses with the help of GM volunteers using materials donated by the General Motors Corporation. These boxes are pack- aged by Organization for Bat Conservation staff who send them on to National Forests all over the Eastern United States.

Since 2012, employee volunteers of GM with children at community outreach events in Metro Detroit have built over 700 bat houses. Urban Connections facilitated getting over 100 bat houses to sites on 13 National Forests. Once installed, the bat houses provide habitat for bats and educa- tional opportunities for humans through US Forest Service programs. For example, the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) installed bat houses in Silver Mines Recreation Area on the Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District of the Mark Twain National Forest. GM-supplied bat houses are also installed on company property, private land in urban areas and state parks. • Staff & Volunteers Organization for Bat Conservation

• John Bradburn, General Motors Corporation

• Susan Kelsey, General Motors Corporation

• teamGM Cares

certificate recipients

from the US Forest Service:

• Allegheny National Forest • Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest • Chippewa National Forest • Green Mountain National Forest • Hiawatha National Forest award winners • Rebecca Ewing, • Huron-Manistee National Forest Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger • Mark Twain National Forest • Lisa Perez, District, Mark Twain National • Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Detroit Urban Connection Program, Forest, US Forest Service • Monongahela National Forest Eastern Region, US Forest Service • Ottawa National Forest • Rob Mies, • Shawnee National Forest • Cynthia Sandeno, Organization for Bat Conservation Eastern Region, US Forest Service • Superior National Forest • White Mountain National Forest