Meet BCI Volunteers Driven by Curiosity and a Desire to Educate

BAT CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL

ISSUE 1 • 2016 // BATCON.ORG

A PASSION FOR

Meet BCI volunteers driven by sharingcuriosity and a desire to educate SPOTLIGHT ON: NORTHERN PUTTING THE FUN BACKYARD BAT LONG-EARED BAT IN FUNDRAISING RESEARCHERS LEAVE a LASTING LEGACY for BATS

Making a bequest to Bat Conservation International is a profound way to protect bats and the places you love. You can name BCI as a beneficiary of your will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy or financial accounts. Anyone can make a bequest, and no amount is too small. Nature and bats need you!

Photo: MerlinTuttle.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please call SHARON SPARLIN at 1-800-538-BATS (2287) or email us at [email protected]. ISSUE 1 • 2016

bats INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FEATURES 08 A PASSION FOR SHARING Curiosity and a desire to educate drive BCI volunteers

FOR THE 12 LOVE OF BATS Friends of BCI find personal ways to

Photo: Jonathan Alonzo Jonathan Photo: support our mission

OFF THE BAT [PAGE 8] MAKING A DIFFERENCE B CI Executive Director Andrew R ecognizing the many generous 02 Walker discusses the importance of 18 friends and members who have volunteerism in society and for BCI recently supported BCI

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT BAT KIDS A look at the northern long-eared bat B CI partners with National 06 and its ongoing battle with White- 20 Geographic’s Animal Jam to bring nose Syndrome bats to a virtual world

BAT CHATS ON THE WING A bat researcher in Malawi B CI staff and board members 14 challenges local superstitions, 21 make an Explorers Club-certified providing education via a bat helpline expedition in the Sunshine State

NEWS & UPDATES

BAT SIGNALS FIELD NOTES BCI news and Research news from Photo: MerlinTuttle.org 03 conservation updates 15 around the globe � A rare sighting of the Florida � Seeking backyard bat bonneted bat researchers to help track the � Celebrating Bat Week 2015 with a Florida bonneted bat world record for bat houses and bat- � A volunteer-led national bat- themed beer and treats tracking program in the U.K. ON THE COVER BCI volunteer Don � The Wildlife Habitat Council’s BCI looks back on 10 years of Bergquist (right) educates [PAGE 3] Award for corporate conservation research and conservation visitors to Bracken Cave.

Photo: Katie Gillies Katie Photo: Photo: Jonathan Alonzo

batcon.org bats { 01 batoff the A FEW WORDS OF INTRODUCTION FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT BCI

Bat Conservation International (BCI) is the only 501(c) (3) organization working on the ground to protect bats Saving the world (for free) and their essential habitats worldwide. A copy of our current financial statement and registration filed by the By ANDREW WALKER organization may be obtained by contacting our office in Austin, below, or by visiting batcon.org. n his 2000 book, Bowling Alone: civic duty they take seriously. And Main Office Washington DC The Collapse and Revival of statistics bear this out: 20 percent 500 North Capital of 4600 North Fairfax Drive American Community, Harvard of twenty-somethings volunteered Texas Highway, Building 1 7th floor I Austin, TX 78746 Arlington, VA 22203 political scientist Robert Putnam in 2013, up from 14 percent in 1989. 512-327-9721 703-962-6775 discusses the ways in which Amer- And millennials are likely to volun- icans have disengaged from public teer even more as they get older. Editor Emeritus Managing Editor involvement since 1950 with the This is welcome news to non- Robert Locke Micaela Jemison rise of television, the Internet and profit organizations. At BCI, Publication Management GLC other societal trends. He cites volunteers save us hundreds of statistics showing steady declines thousands of dollars annually in Bats welcomes queries from writers. Send your article in voter turnout, public meeting staff costs we couldn’t otherwise proposal in a brief outline form and a description of any photos, charts or other graphics to the Editor at attendance, and membership in the afford to pay. From our Board of [email protected]. PTA and other civic and fraternal Directors on down, volunteers are Members: We welcome your feedback. Please send organizations. integral to almost everything BCI letters to the Editor at [email protected]. Changes Putnam’s thesis continues to does. It’s doubtful of address may be sent to [email protected] spark public debate and counter we would have or to BCI at our Austin, Texas, address above. Please allow argument. Some sociologists have protected the 1,520- TALK TO US four weeks for the change of address to take effect. argued that, although many tradi- acre Galo tract at Share your thoughts From time to time, BCI exchanges mailing lists with tional 20th century institutions are Bracken Cave last and feedback with other like-minded conservation groups to make more in long-term decline, new forms of year, had it not been Bats magazine at people aware of the importance of bats. If you wish . to opt-out of these exchanges, please let us know at civic involvement have been taking for our volunteer [email protected] [email protected]. their place—enter the soccer mom, leadership. And we Founder: Dr. Merlin D. Tuttle neighborhood associations and see the same strong book clubs. commitment from young people Board of Directors Volunteerism has not been outside the United States. Dr. Cullen Geiselman Dr. Charles C. Chester Chair Bettina Mathis immune from these trends; fewer This issue of Bats magazine Steven P. Quarles, Dr. Gary McCracken adults volunteer for the Boy Scouts profiles a few of these people. As Vice Chair John D. Mitchell and other traditional groups. In someone who also began his career Danielle Gustafson, Alexander “Sandy” Read 2013, the volunteer rate was 25.4 as a conservation volunteer, I have Treasurer Dr. Wes Sechrest percent, or 62.6 million people, deep appreciation for the com- C. Andrew Marcus, Susan Wallace Secretary Joe Walston compared with 29 percent of the mitment, energy, enthusiasm and population in 2003, according to the talent that each volunteer brings. It Science Advisory Committee Dr. Kate Jones Dr. Rodrigo Medellín U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. enriches us all and advances our Dr. Tigga Kingston Dr. Paul Racey But there is good news: Volun- mission to protect the world’s bats. Dr. Gary McCracken, Dr. Charles Rupprecht teering is alive and well in the To every volunteer, thank you! Board liaison millennial generation. People under Senior Staff the age of 30 report in poll after poll Andrew Walker Andrew Walker, Joy Gaddy, that volunteering is an important BCI Executive Director Executive Director Operations David Waldien, Mylea Bayless, Global Conservation U.S./Canada Conservation Editor’s Note: BCI is proud to work on bat conservation issues around the world. To reflect this global mission, we are changing the issue designations for Bats magazine from northern hemisphere-based seasonal designations Visit BCI’s website at batcon.org and the following (e.g., Winter) to a numerical system. Hence, this edition is “Issue 1 2016.” Our social media sites: new editor (who is Australian) hopes this will appeal to all our members Facebook.com/batcon Twitter.com/BatConIntl around the world!

02 }bats Issue 1 2016 CONSERVATION

A family of rarely seen Florida bat bonneted bats, like this one, was spotted in late December.

BCI UPDATES AND CONSERVATION NEWS

A promising start A rare sighting renews hope

For the average bat enthusiast, there is per- haps no better way to kick off the New Year than spotting a critically endangered species. This New Year’s Eve, Ralph Arwood was the man to be. Since 2012, Arwood and his research team have been on the hunt for the rare Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus). On Dec. 21, Arwood finally made his long- awaited discovery in Big Cypress National Preserve, when his acoustic monitors indicated that a family of bats was roosting in the cavity of an old woodpecker tree. Arwood and his team watched the sun set over the horizon that day, patiently waiting to confirm signs of life in the cavity 30 feet above. Sure enough, one bat after another emerged from its asylum. Their size and recorded calls confirmed that they were what Arwood spent all of three years chasing—the rare Florida bonneted bat. Arwood’s sighting was actually the second confirmed roosting site found that same week; acoustic monitors also detected the echolocation calls of the species in a four-story condominium near a Miami city park. Although the Florida bonneted bat population remains under threat, these recent sightings are inspiring—not only do they fill us with optimism, but they also serve as an important reminder to renew our New Year’s resolution of A FANTASTIC FIND protecting bats at home To read more about Ralph Arwood’s find and and around the world. to watch a video of these Florida bonneted bats flying out from their roost, visitralpharwood. com/blog. Photo: Katie Gillies Katie Photo:

batcon.org bats { 03 bat Bat Week is an annual event designed to raise awareness for bat conservation worldwide.

BAT WEEK 2015

One for A night of theBCI helps books organize world nocturnal record for building bat houses during Bat Week treats Bat Week wasn’t just for the builders; food- he Bat Week spirit was ies got in on the action, too. To celebrate felt right across North bats and their connections to our foods, BCI TAmerica last October teamed up with Freetail Brewing Company as people came together to in San Antonio to hold a Night of Noc- raise awareness about bat turnal Treats. Freetail Brewing Company conservation. The highlight introduced its latest microbrew, “Nocturnal of the weeklong celebration Nectar,” a pale ale named by BCI supporters (Oct. 25–31) was the successful and made out of several ingredients asso- world record attempt on Hal- ciated with bats via pollination, pest control loween for the most bat houses and seed dispersal. The brewery donates a built in a single day. portion of the beer’s sale proceeds to BCI. Participants built a total of Attendees also munched on sweet and 1,341 bat houses at 68 events savory treats all using ingredients that ben- across the U.S., Canada and efit from bat ecology. Rio Rio Cantina, The

Puerto Rico— Photo: Amy Kimball Photography Granary, Blue Star Brewing, Sweet Chela’s, setting a new world record! A young bat supporter builds a Local Coffee and For the campaign’s Austin bat house during Bat Week. the Freetail Brewing location, even flooding rains Company Brewpub could not stop local bat lovers from contributing to the world generously provided record. With the Austin American-Statesman graciously all the food and hosting BCI, the event moved indoors but still within walking drink. The highlights distance of the Congress Avenue Bridge, the summer home of of the evening were 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) and the bat presenta- the inspiration for our bat house-building event. tions given by BCI Our roost builders included families with young children, bat experts and some dressed as bats, who were excited to give bats a little love special guest San Photo: Micaela Jemison Micaela Photo: by providing safe homes for those not as lucky as the bats in Antonio Council- the bridge. man Ron Nirenberg. We are thankful for our Austin sponsors, Austin Footwear, The event and beer raised Austin Batworks and the Austin American-Statesman, whose more than $4,000 for bat contributions made our event possible. conservation. Cheers to that! Bat Week was organized by the Bat Week team of BCI, Lubee Bat Bat Week attendees in San GO BATTY Conservancy, the Organization for Antonio enjoyed bat-themed To learn more about treats, like Sweet Chela’s cook- Bat Week events Bat Conservation, U.S. Forest Ser- ies with the BCI logo (above) and resources, visit vice, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Freetail Brewing Co.’s batweek.org. Wildlife Acoustics Inc., and the Save Nocturnal Nectar beer (left). Lucy Campaign. Alonzo Jonathan Photo:

04 }bats Issue 1 2016 The Bat Conservation Action Award has been recognizing the efforts of corporations for bat conservation since 2011.

AWARDS

EncouragingAn award that recognizes environmentally corporate conscious, bat-friendly conservationcompanies orporations can be strong disturbance, culmi- allies for bat conservation nating in the guano Cby restoring and enhancing deposit being lit on wildlife habitat on corporate lands. fire, resulted in com- To encourage corporate conserva- plete abandonment of tion, Bat Conservation International the cave by the colony. has partnered for a number of years A partnership between with the Wildlife Habitat Council BCI, Freeport-McMo- (WHC) to present the Bat Conserva- Ran and the Bureau tion Action Award. of Land Management Freeport-McMoRan, a mining resulted in a protective company that owns the Morenci gate being placed on Mine in Arizona, was the 2015 the cave in 2010. At recipient for its outstanding bat the time the colony preservation and education efforts. size was estimated at Freeport-McMoRan’s Morenci 30,000 bats. Now, after Operations Team was honored at the gate has been in the WHC’s annual symposium in place for five years, the MerlinTuttle.org Photo: December. maternity colony is “I personally am proud of the estimated to be 1.8 million hard work by so many employees bats strong. to further these efforts. Winning The Frisco Mine is a mixed-use the BCI award two years in a row summer colony for bats that was confirms that our ongoing efforts, slated for a destructive closure particularly around bat habitat con- before it was saved upon discovery servation and education, are truly of its importance as a roost. The world-class,” says Bill Cobb, vice site serves as a maternity colony president-Environmental Services for Townsend’s big-eared bats, a and Sustainable Development for day roost for cave myotis (Myotis Freeport-McMoRan. velifer) and potentially as a mater- The Morenci Operations team nity colony for California leaf-nosed received the Bat Conservation bats (Macrotus californicus). With Action Award for efforts to protect more than 150 Townsend’s big-eared Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida bats using the mine, this colony is brasiliensis) and Townsend’s considered significantly large for the big-eared bats (Corynorhinus species in the Southwest. Photo: Jason Corbett Jason Photo: townsendii) that inhabit the Eagle The award also recognized the Creek Bat Cave and the Frisco Mine Morenci Operations team’s efforts in The Eagle Creek Bat Cave near the Morenci mine site. educating employees and the public KUDOS! (lower image), once harboring one of North America’s largest The Eagle Creek Bat Cave was about the importance of the bats For a complete list of winners of the WHC colonies of Mexican free-tailed once thought to be home to one of in the ecosystem, and its partner- International Conser- bats (top image), is recovering North America’s largest colonies ship with Graham and Greenlee vation Awards, visit quickly under a Freeport-BCI- of Mexican free-tailed bats. Over County schools to develop student wildlifehc.org. BLM agreement. the decades, high levels of human curriculum. batcon.org bats { 05 species spott THERE ARE 1,331+ SPECIES OF BATS IN THE WORLD. THIS IS ONE OF THEM. light

bat stats BINOMIAL Myotis septentrionalis

FAMILY Northern Vespertilionidae COLONY SIZE long-eared 30 to 60 individuals WINGSPAN 9 inches (22.9 cm)

DIET bat Insectivorous

USA STATUS Threatened

REGION

Eastern U.S. and Canada Photo: MerlinTuttle.org Photo:

06 }bats Issue 1 2016 Northern long-eared bats mate in late summer or early fall, but females are able to delay fertilization, storing sperm during hibernation until the spring.

A North American bat incurred tremendous losses due to the dev- threatened by White-nose astating impacts of Syndrome White-nose Syndrome (WNS). Since symptoms of the disease were he northern long-eared bat first observed in New (Myotis septentrionalis) ranges York in 2006, WNS has Tfrom the eastern and north spread rapidly from the central United States to all Cana- Northeast of the United dian provinces, from the Atlantic States to the Midwest Ocean west to the southern Yukon and Southeast, as well as

Territory and eastern British Colum- across the Southeast and MerlinTuttle.org Photo: bia. As the name suggests, this bat’s middle of Canada—an The primary threat most prominent feature is its long area that includes the to the northern ears. The northern long-eared bat core of the northern long- long-eared bat is relatively small in size, with a eared bat’s range. Losses is White-nose Syndrome. wingspan of around 9 inches, and a for northern long-eared bats due that posed little threat to the total length of about 3.7 inches. Its to WNS have been as high as 98 species before—habitat loss fur coat is traditional in color, with percent in some parts of its distri- from logging, highway con- medium-brown and tawny tones. bution—a result so severe that this struction, commercial development, When it comes to diet, it should species was listed as Threatened energy development, etc.—may now come as no surprise that the north- under the U.S. Endangered Species have a more significant impact on ern long-eared bat is a nighttime Act in April 2015. remaining individuals. predator. They primarily fly through Actions, such as closing caves Although northern long-eared the undergrowth of forested areas, to human access, have been taken bats are disappearing, there is still feeding on moths, flies, leafhoppers, to try to slow the spread of WNS a window of opportunity to save caddisflies and beetles. These bats through human transmission of them. Combating WNS is crucial. will often catch their prey in mid- the fungus into caves. Anyone While we search for solutions, flight, using echolocation to find who enters a cave in a confirmed protecting roosting sites is the next where their next meal is hiding. or suspect WNS-affected state or important conservation action. For As with most bats, a change in sea- region should decontaminate his or instance, hibernating bats should son also means a change in habitat. her gear according to U.S. Fish and be left alone, and their hibernation In the winter, northern long-eared Wildlife Service decontamination sites should not be entered during bats hibernate in caves and mines. protocols. Scientists and conser- the winter months. And whenever After fertilization in the spring, vationist alike, along with BCI, are possible, dead or dying trees should pregnant females migrate to isolated researching ways to control the stay rooted in the ground to provide roosts or colonies underneath bark growth of the fungus that causes shelter for bats during the summer. or in cavities of both live trees and WNS. Some biological controls, If the latter is not an option, install- snags. Here they give birth to a single such as naturally occurring fungi ing bat boxes can provide additional pup between late May and late June. and bacteria, are being tested and roost sites, especially from April to Maternity colonies of females and show promise as short-term man- August, when females are actively young generally have 30 to 60 bats agement solutions. Other tools in searching for safe and quiet places at the beginning of the summer, development, such as vaccines and to give birth to their pups. although larger maternity colonies gene-silencing applications, may Remember: By have also been observed. Northern provide long-term management of inspiring communities long-eared bats seem to be flexible in the disease and fungus. to learn more about STOP WNS selecting roosts, choosing roost trees WNS is the primary threat to the endangered bat spe- For more on White- based on their suitability to retain continued existence of the northern cies, like the northern nose Syndrome, bark or provide cavities or crevices. long-eared bat. Prior to the arrival of long-eared bat, and the including how to decontaminate gear This bat also roosts in man-made WNS in North America, populations important ecological covered with the structures, like barns and sheds. of this species were stable. However, roles they serve, we fungus, visit batcon. Across much of its range, the with such severe losses from this are one step closer to org/wns. northern long-eared bat has devastating disease, other activities saving them. batcon.org bats { 07 COVER STORY

apassion

BCI relies on dedicated volunteers to maintain Bracken Cave Preserve and educate those who come to see the bats’ nightly emergence. Photo: Jonathan Alonzo Jonathan Photo:

08 }bats Issue 1 2016 Curiosity and a desire to educate drive BCI volunteers to reveal the beauty and wonder of bats to others for

By MICHELLE Z. DONAHUE

ome remodeler, retired schoolteacher, passioncollege student, property appraiser. The roster of people who donate their personal time in the name of bats is as in bats, and that’s usually what gets them diverseH as any cross-section of American life. coming back.” Yet BCI volunteers share a common fervor: a Bettina Jary-Mathis, who has been involved fascination for bats and a desire to help others with BCI since 1991 and who currently serves on better appreciatesharing an oft-misunderstood crea- its board of directors, says she’d love to see more ture. For them, the line between “volunteer” and youth involvement, noting that as kids become “private citizen” is often blurred, as many BCI involved in outreach, so do their families. volunteers carry their message through their “When I was growing up, we knew about daily lives. conservation, but there wasn’t the education like At Bracken Cave, volunteers clear brush, main- there is today,” Mathis says. “Kids now are more tain the trails and grounds, and conduct hundreds environmentally aware and more motivated to of tours and talks each summer. At Congress educate others, no matter where they are, to pro- Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas, docents come tect it. They get their parents involved, too.” four nights a week to help educate thousands of Dianne Odegard, BCI’s manager of education visitors who come to watch the bats’ nightly emer- and public outreach, coordinates volunteer activ- gence during the summer months. Elsewhere, ities at Congress Avenue Bridge. The strength of volunteers contribute time toward countless BCI’s volunteers is their very diversity, she says. unseen tasks. “They not only share information and dispel Fran Hutchins, director of Bracken Cave the myths surrounding bats with the public, who Preserve, started out as a volunteer in 2001 with have come from all over the country and world, a caving group, Bexar Grotto, that has been but also with their friends, families, organizations helping maintain the privately owned property and communities,” Odegard says. “It really has since BCI purchased it in 1992. Today, Hutchins ripple effects.” relies upon dozens of unpaid helpers who donate What follows are just a few of those ripple- an estimated 5,000 hours a year to maintain the effect stories about BCI volunteers who have Bracken Cave Preserve that BCI owns, as well as found a way to give back through bats. GET the adjacent Cibolo Bluffs Preserve owned by The INVOLVED Nature Conservancy. Together, the two properties For more information Kurt Menking on BCI volunteering total 3,462 acres. Bracken Cave volunteer since 1978 opportunities with “My girlfriend wouldn’t know what I look like,” A fixture in Kurt Menking’s life since he was a the Congress Avenue Hutchins laughs, musing on life without volun- youngster in the 1960s, the area around Bracken Bridge Docent teers. Many people, he says, come because of a Cave was where Menking would hunt, swim and Program or at love for the outdoors, but stay for the bats. fish with family friends. Often, while leaving, Bracken Cave, please visit batcon.org/ “Seeing a bat flight plucks some emotional they’d see bats begin to swirl out for their volunteer. cord,” Hutchins says. “It piques their interest nightly foraging. batcon.org bats { 09 COVER STORY Bracken Cave hosts approximately 140 visitor tours every year, a feat not possible without our volunteers!

As a volunteer with the Bexar Grotto Cavers group before BCI acquired Bracken Cave, Menking took many church and scouting groups on informal tours at the previous owner’s behest. Today, he does fewer talks but still helps with “whatever Fran needs me to do.” “I’ve watched the protected area go from five acres around the entrance to almost 4,000 acres,” he Photo: Kurt Menking Kurt Photo: says. “I really believe the hundreds

Photo: Edith Bergquist of thousands of people who have watched the bat flights over the last 50 years helped create the ground- swell to protect it. And it was the volunteers and staff who helped spread education about bats, so that when it came time for action, it all could happen.”

Don and Edith Bergquist Bracken Cave and Congress

Photo: Dianne Odegard Dianne Photo: Avenue Bridge volunteers since 2006 Don and Edith Bergquist’s home in San Antonio’s hill country over- looks a valley etched with a small,

Photo: Dianne Odegard Dianne Photo: winding gravel road. After moving to their house in 2005 upon retiring, Other hunters came, too, to the Bergquists got to chatting with a neighbor, witness the same spectacle. who informed them there was a bat cave down But rather than merely watch, that road. Stunned and intrigued, the Bergquists Menking describes how they’d quickly joined BCI. sometimes unload shotgun “There’s just something that drew us there,” rounds into the sinkhole, trying Edith says of the cave. “We thought it would be to goad bats to come out earlier, a great idea for us to give some of our time.” or compete for the most creatures Don, a self-described introvert who reads they could knock out with a sin- voraciously about bats, and Edith, active in a local gle blast when the air was thick quilting group, say their volunteer activities have with wings. given them an unexpectedly rich outlet. They give He struggles to find words to talks and lead tours at the cave—“Some of the describe those moments. “I’ve most insightful questions come from children,” always had a fascination with Don says—and have also inspired many of their caves, and seeing the abuses own peers to become involved with bat conser- Photo: Sarah Gorton and silliness going on out there vation. From a handful of other neighbors who BCI volunteers find many ways to get involved— was ...” Menking breaks off. “The were BCI members when they joined, the couple from maintaining the grounds of the Bracken ability to show people that bats are estimates that probably 60 percent of their neigh- Cave Preserve, to performing educational outreach, to providing research support, to serving friendly, and an important part of bors are now BCI members and volunteers. as docents for Congress Avenue Bridge tours in the ecosystem, has always been “It was something we were excited about, to Austin, Texas. important to me.” share that excitement with friends and neighbors

10 }bats Issue 1 2016 and even people you run into at the store,” Edith Don says. “It’s amazing how many families have joined Bergquist BCI and come to the cave just by talking about it.” enjoys teaching Bracken Lee Mackenzie Cave visitors Congress Avenue Bridge volunteer about the since 2008 fascinating

As a remodeler of older homes, Lee Mackenzie Alonzo Jonathan Photo: world of bats. often runs into critters who’ve set up shop in a cozy attic: squirrels, raccoons, rats and, naturally, “BCI is the holy grail of bats,” laughs Gardner, who started bats. He met his wife, BCI’s Education Manager spending weekend evenings at the Congress Avenue Bridge. Dianne Odegard, through wildlife rehabilitation “The bridge is a kind of educational nirvana. People can come groups that helped relocate the animals; Macken- and see one of nature’s true wonders, and volunteers get to be zie and Odegard still rehabilitate bats together. hands-on and talk to people who want to learn.” After meeting Odegard, Mackenzie started vol- The greater awareness she and other volunteers bring to unteering with BCI, particularly at the Congress people helps make connections she feels are often lacking Avenue Bridge, where he interacts with visitors today. Though the myriad devices of modern life open win- every Thursday through Sunday night, on top of dows into nature, they are mere introductions, she asserts. a physically exhausting day job. He has also mon- “So many people are so cut off from the natural world,” itored NOAA Doppler radar every night for the Gardner says. “We’re stuck in our homes with our screens, and last four years to watch bat emergences around you can’t experience the world through a screen that well. You the area, which helps him share more detailed have to get out and see it. As volunteers, we can help make information about the bats’ activities once they people aware of what’s going on and bring awareness to bats.” depart from their bridge roosts. Mackenzie adds that he loves to share facts Sarah Gorton with the public that help alter their view of bats Bracken Cave volunteer since 2012 and their role in the world. Having volunteered at the San Antonio Zoo from the time “When people see a little bat in your gloved she was in 8th grade, Sarah Gorton has learned to snag the hand, they can look in their tiny eyes and see attention of passersby with occasionally gruesome facts: “Did how fragile and beautiful and delicate they are,” you know that if your hands were like bat wings, your fingers he says. “That can be a life-changing moment for would be three to four meters long?” she’d ask unsuspecting a lot of people. The more you see something, the visitors. “Or that if you ate the same as a bat eats every night, it more curious you are, and the more you learn, the would be like eating 30 to 60 large pizzas?” more passionate you become. That’s the process Now a freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio, that led me to want to share all that I’ve learned.” Gorton still volunteers at the zoo, but relays what she absorbs as a Bracken Cave volunteer back to zoo visitors. Christie Gardner “When I go to the cave, I learn something new every single Congress Avenue Bridge volunteer time,” Gorton says. “Volunteering doesn’t have to since 2012 be physically doing something. It can be as sim- Growing up, Christie Gardner often visited a ple as talking to people. At the zoo, I’m constantly CRAVE THE great-uncle’s farm, exploring the fields, forests telling people to go check out Bracken.” CAVE? and streams when the adult conversation inside Initially thinking she might want to study The Bracken Cave became tedious. As an elementary school teacher, zoology, she is now pursuing communications 2016 BCI Member Night schedule will Gardner conveyed her passion for nature to after realizing how engaged people become when be announced April children through an environmental club she ran they’re not aware they’re actively learning some- 1. For more updates, for 20 years. And after exhaustively researching thing new. sign up for BCI’s Bat bats and spiders for several Halloween-themed “I love informal learning, when people don’t Chat e-newsletter lessons, Gardner joined BCI, and came to aspire realize they’re learning,” she says. “If you show at batcon.org/ getnewsletter or to volunteer for the organization. your heart, that reflects on whatever cause you’re go to batcon.org/ Now retired after 36 years, she’s far from fin- supporting. Sometimes sheer enthusiasm is bracken. ished teaching. enough to convince people.” batcon.org bats { 11 FEATURE

Photo: Jonathan Alonzo

bats and give them little bat facts and stuff.” ForKids especially take notice theof Lake Love of bats when she trudges through the dry Texas terrain—in part because when it comes to raising money for bats, Lake likes to make quite the fashion statement. “I kind of started doing this batty-clown thing,” Lake says with a laugh. “I used to be a clown a long time ago, so I was like, ‘Oh, I can bring bats, running and clowning together!’” The end result is a bat-friendly take on marathon running essentials: lav- ish wings, a batty backpack that also holds water and a would-be wig that Mexican free-tailed bats in Bracken Cave kind of looks like bat ears. To the average runner (and reader), Lake’s devotion to bat conservation hen it comes to giving back, BCI and education seems out of the ordinary, over- BCI supporters aren’t afraid of running the the-top and completely outrageous—but there’s Wextra mile. Literally. a good reason behind it. supporters go Niki Lake of Seabrook, Texas, is an avid “Bats make up a quarter of the world’s mam- marathon runner with an inborn passion for mals,” Lake stresses. “So they’re pretty important. the distance, bat conservation. Whenever she hits the ground And they’re facing one of the worst wildlife running, Lake loves to raise money for BCI. diseases of all time, White-nose Syndrome. That impart “I like to find ways to bring all my interests was the real stimulus for me. White-nose, to me, together,” she says. “So I decided to raise money is petrifying.” wisdom, and run.” Through quality education and funded Lake’s fervor for bats can be traced back to her research, Lake says that bat populations can be strut their childhood. As the kid of a Houston Zoo volun- saved from White-nose Syndrome. So she’s just stuff and get teer, Lake has always been around animals. As a student at Texas State Niki Lake ran 64 miles from Austin’s University, she pursued her interest Congress Ave Bridge to Bracken crafty to in wildlife biology and became a Cave near San Antonio in 2015. promote bat park ranger soon after. Since 2012, Lake has run 93 conservation miles under the hot Texas sun, and has raised more than $2,700 for BCI. Though logging that many miles might sound tortuous to some, Lake says she was “smiling the whole time.” “It was so cool,” she says. “Along the way I would stop and meet up

with people and talk to them about Lake Niki Photo:

12 }bats Issue 1 2016 By LIELA NASSER, BCI INTERN

trying to contribute to that effort in her own of money for charity,” unique way. Hex says. “I was always For the “BCI isLove a phenomenal organization that’s reallyof saying we shouldbats do the forerunner of bat conservation. And bats are something for BCI. a pretty easy sell if you can get people to sit down So when they had an and listen,” she adds. opening on a Saturday in October I was like, Making Change ‘Yes, totally!’” Getting people to sit down and listen—now that’s Hex has been a the hard part. But according to BCI supporter and bat fanatic since her special needs teacher Raquel Hickey, bat conser- freshman year of high vation and education are born in the classroom. school when one of “I have been a teacher now for 14 years, and her teachers asked the I’ve been teaching about bats for at least the last class to create a maga- 10,” Hickey says. “If I could work with bats every zine. Hex decided hers Albuquerque Leana Photo: Leana Albuquerque makes and sells bat plush toys for BCI. day for the rest of my life, I would do it. It’s a very would feature bats. passionate thing for me.” “I fell in love reading Hickey’s love for bats started in college when up on bats; it was won- she took a course in conservation. Ever since derful,” she recalls. then, Hickey has been inspired to teach children Naturally, Hex about the importance of bat conservation. When received an A on that deciduous trees start shedding their leaves in report. And, despite the fall, Hickey likes to teach her little 3-, 4- and having big shoes to 5-year-olds about bats, instead of Halloween. The fill—high-heeled classroom walls become their caverns, with hand- shoes, that is—she did drawn bats beautifying the monotonous drywall. just as well hosting her “It’s their favorite unit,” Hickey says. event. Her act raised To help raise money during October’s Bat Week, money and awareness. Hickey decided to start a penny drive. Although “During my com- they didn’t make much money, the underlying mentary, I was trying message was well received. to bring up little bat Photo: Alexis Hex Alexis Hex and friends put on a bat-themed drag show fundraiser. “We didn’t raise a lot of money, but the reason facts, like, ‘If you’re I teach it is because kids are always scared of drinking some tequila, you better think of bats!’” what they see on TV and I don’t want them to be Fort Lauderdale’s Leana Albuquerque is scared. I want them to know that bats are import- another great example of what a little imagina- ant to us,” Hickey says. “Without bats, our world tion and creativity can do. With the help of her SPREAD wouldn’t exist.” mom and fiancé, Albuquerque was able to donate YOUR WINGS $250 by selling adorable plush toy bats. Thinking of a Performance Art “This project was a lot of fun,” Albuquerque creative fundraising Alongside marathons and penny drives, donors says. “I wish I could win the lotto or something idea of your own? have found other creative ways to give back. In because we would be able to give so much more. We’d love to hear Chicago, Alexis Hex organized the Call Bar’s first But right now this is a way that we can help these about it and help provide support. To ever “Angels of the Night” drag show—a two-hour precious animals.” get started, contact performance dedicated to bat species around From 60-mile runs to money drives, from drag Micaela Jemison the world. shows to plush sales, BCI donors will do just at mjemison@ “The bar that I perform at is known for some about anything to make a difference. Indeed, they batcon.org. of their main shows, and they usually raise a lot already have. batcon.org bats { 13 bat QUESTIONS FORchats A NOTED EXPERT

having the capacity to act inspired me to start the project with WISH the aim of reducing LIST mortality and raising Small grants awareness about the fuel big results importance of bats. You can help fund Bats: How do projects like African the Malawi people Bat Conservation view bats? by supporting BCI’s Stone: Most of the Small Grants Pro- population have very gram. To donate, negative perceptions visit batcon.org/ . about bats. In many smallgrants parts of the country, people believe that A Mauritian tomb bat bats are witches or Stone: The funding (Taphozous mauritianus) ancestors coming back from BCI has been spotted in Malawi to punish or taunt critical in getting

Photo: Emma Stone them. In general bats this project off the are considered pests. ground. To be able to reach people Changing Bats: What experiencing are the conflict we greatest risks need a trained to bats in team with negative views Malawi? equipment, Stone: fuel and a A unique helpline provides bat education in Malawi Habitat loss project vehi- and direct cle. Thanks to mma Stone is a bat researcher at the University of Bristol in the U.K. persecution. High BCI, we now have this and the founder of African Bat Conservation based in Malawi, which levels of deforestation and have started to Eoperates a local bat helpline and roost-monitoring project. She has are reducing roosting conduct call outs and worked in Africa since 1998 conducting research and managing com- opportunities and for- visits to people around munity education and outreach projects. Here, Stone discusses changing aging habitats. Malawi Lilongwe, the capital perceptions of bats in Malawi and growing conservation efforts in the area. has the second highest city. In addition, BCI is level of deforestation giving us expert advice in Southern Africa and and assistance, which Bats: What inspired conflict. It was than we could deal a very high population is invaluable as we you to start a bat commonplace to be with, and also that density. These pres- develop the project. helpline in Malawi? informed by people in many situations sures are immense for Stone: Since setting that they had bats there were simple a small country, and up African Bat in their lofts and solutions and that a mean that bats have FOR MORE Conservation in called pest control lack of understanding little space left. To read an extended version of this Q&A Malawi in 2011, we to gas them. As we and appreciation was with Emma Stone, started to receive many are a small team, we the main problem. Bats: How has assis- visit batcon.org/ calls and inquiries quickly realized there Receiving these tance from BCI been emma-stone. about human-bat are many more issues inquiries and not able to help you?

14 }bats Issue 1 2016 VOLUNTEERISM The Florida bonneted bat is the focus of an ongoing citizen scientist research project.

field notes RESE ARCH N E WS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

CallingBackyard on citizen scientists to aidbat bat research researchers and conservation in Florida cientists studying North America’s rare Florida bon- “The information citizens will be collecting is critical neted bat (Eumops floridanus) are reaching out to the to our overall understanding of the statewide popula- Scommunity to help them find the elusive species. The tion of this species,” says Jess Rodriguez, NE Region citizen science project, funded in part by Bat Conservation Volunteer Coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife International, aims to fill data gaps in the current knowl- Conservation Commission. “These surveys will add to edge of the species range by enabling volunteers in Florida the data collected by state and federal agencies, univer- to conduct acoustic surveys in their own backyards. sities, and non-government organizations. There is very Photo: Micaela Jemison

batcon.org bats { 15 field notes Florida bonneted bats are high-fliers and, thus, are rarely caught in surveys. Most detections for this species are acoustic.

home every volunteer with a species list and letting them know what was found in their yards. So far we have found five bat species in the 12 sites that we have surveyed, but no bonneted bats yet,” notes Rodriguez. “Considering that they are so rare, it would be incredible if a citizen actually found a Florida bonneted bat,” she adds. “Finding a bonneted Photo: Micaela Jemison bat would be a really great achievement, contributing a lot toward knowledge of the species.” The project continues through to July 2016 and is currently looking for more volunteers in its study area. The study area includes DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Commission Conservation Wildlife and Fish Florida Photo: Okeechobee and Polk Clockwise from top left: A researcher holds a Florida bonneted counties with SR 60 bat; an acoustic bat detector on a tripod; and volunteers learn how little known about backyard was really acting as the northern- to set up and monitor bat-detecting equipment. the Florida bonneted fun,” says Paul Gray, most boundary, SR 70 bat, and the data our one of the first volun- acting as the southern- volunteers collect will teers to participate in most boundary and hopefully guide the the project. “Anyone the Peace and Kis- development of con- can do this. They give simmee Rivers acting WISH servation efforts and very clear directions [to as the western and LIST future research.” set up the equipment], eastern boundaries, Participating citizen and it just takes a few respectively. Other ways scientists are given minutes every day to to support acoustic detectors and check the detector. I research training to deploy the can’t wait to hear the JOIN US equipment in their results—that is what is Interested volunteers You can help should contact Jess own backyards or on really exciting me.” Rodriguez (jess. us provide bat local conservation While the project detectors ($1,500 rodriguez@myfwc. lands. Citizens are aims to find new com, 352-732- per detector) and 1225) or Brendan funding for data given the detectors locations for the rare for seven days and are bat species, all bat O’Connor (brendan. analysis ($4,000) oconnor@myfwc. for this project. asked to record for calls that are generated com, 863-648- Visit batcon.org/ five nights. from the acoustic sur- 3829) for more backyardbats. “To be able to check veys will be identified. information. for bats in my own “We are sending

16 }bats Issue 1 2016 The U.K. inspires North American scientists: BCI along with government and science partners are implementing a North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat).

VOLUNTEERISM

TrackingA decade-long bat-monitoring British project in the U.K. builds bats on its success Editor’s note: A longer version of this article by National Bat the late Dr. Kate Barlow (1970–2015) originally Monitoring Volunteers with the Bat Conservation Trust’s National Bat Monitoring Programme appeared in The Biologist (62(3) 2015). We share Programme, this excerpt in her honor. supported by government very year in the making up about a funding. U.K., hundreds third of the U.K.’s The project E of dedicated bat mammal species. Many relies on vol- lovers spend evenings U.K. bat populations unteers to take sitting in their gardens suffered considerable part in differ- watching gaps in their declines in the sec- ent surveys roofs, or wandering ond half of the 20th throughout the through British towns century, but there is a year, includ- and countryside with lack of quantitative evi- ing summer bat detectors clutched dence from this period counts of bats in their hands. These that allows us to deter- emerging from amazing volunteers are mine the full extent of maternity Photo: Anne Youngman , Bat Conservation Trust taking part in the Bat those declines. Then, roosts, win- Conservation Trust’s during the 1980s and ter counts of bats in While these are us shape our conser- National Bat Monitor- 1990s, there was a underground sites such positive results, such vation work; our data ing Programme. sharp increase in inter- as caves and mines increases in bat contribute to European The initiative was est in bat conservation that bats use for hiber- populations are likely reporting requirements established in 1996. in Britain, at least in nation, and summer to be only a small and provide one of Since then the Bat part promoted by new bat detector surveys start in their recovery. the 26 U.K. biodiver- Conservation Trust legislation providing looking at activity lev- There is still much sity indicators used (bats.org.uk) has been legal protection for els of bats in different work to do—first, to assess the U.K.’s working with its part- bats from the Wild- habitats. to unravel the main progress toward its ners and volunteers life and Countryside Recently, the project factors driving the biodiversity targets. to gather data on how Act of 1981. In the published its results, changes, and, second, We would not be in U.K. bat populations 1990s, as part of work analyzing data on 10 to expand our moni- a position to provide are faring. investigating habitat bat species or species toring right across the those key facts on bats Why do we need to use by bats in the U.K., groups collected by range of bat species without the commit- monitor bat popula- researchers demon- over 3,500 volunteers we have in the U.K., ment and enthusiasm tions? There are 17 strated that volunteers at more than 3,200 as some of the U.K.’s of all of our volunteers. species of bats that could be coordinated sites across the U.K. rarer species that are People power really breed in the U.K., successfully to carry for a 16-year period habitat specialists are does make a difference. out bat surveys at (1997–2012).1 Our not currently included Brown long-eared a national level. results show a gener- in our monitoring pro- bats (Plecotus This work, and ally favorable picture gram because they are UK BATS auritus) in the U.K. the increasing for the bat species that difficult to monitor or To learn more about need to be able we monitor: All species rarely encountered. the Bat Conservation to report on the are showing a stable The bat monitoring Trust’s National Bat Monitoring Pro- status of bat or increasing trend trends we produce gramme, as well how populations, led over the period of the not only help us to to participate, visit to the estab- study from at least one understand how bats bats.org.uk/nbmp.

Photo: John Haddow, Bat Conservation Trust lishment of the survey type. are faring and help

1Barlow, K.E., Briggs, P.A., Haysom, K.A., Hutson, A.M., Lechiara, N.L., Racey, P.A., Walsh, A.L. & Langton, S.D. 2015. Citizen science reveals trends in bat populations: the National Bat Monitoring Programme in Great Britain. Biological Conservation 182: 14-26. batcon.org bats { 17 MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Estate of Ruth Silverman Austin Footwear Labs Andrew and Christine Walker* Ms. Mary Simun Ms. Ann C. Bacon Ms. Dani Walthall THANK YOU! Brad and Shelli Stanback Ms. Jane K. Brown Whole Foods Market Herb Stumberg Capt. Jo A. Carlton, USN, Ret. The Lawrence and Sylvia Wong We offer our Sun Edison and Larry W. deNeveu Foundation The White Pine Fund Ms. Cindy Cobb* Jo Wright and Lance Strong deepest gratitude Mr. David Cohn* Mr. Brad Wuest to all BCI members $5,000–$9,999 W. F. and Mary Anne Dingus Anonymous (1) The Dume Wolverine Foundation $500–$999 and contributors Howard and Penny Burt EarthShare of Texas Ms. Nancy Bernstein The Carter Chapman Shreve Ms. Gale Epstein Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis who support the Family Foundation Matthew, Michael and Maki Fife Mr. Brian Buttazoni Dr. G. Kent and Jill Colbath & Joy Gaddy and Robert Rowe* Mr. Tim Cliffe* conservation Family The GE Foundation Ms. Charlotte W. Coiner The Frank Cross Foundation Ms. Amy E. Grose Ms. Carol E. Culbertson of the world’s bats. Detroit Zoological Society Ms. Virginia Hammerness William and Nancy Davis EarthShare of Texas Hanky Panky Ltd. Jasen and Ellen Douglass The Franklin Philanthropic Dr. Derek W. Hargis Ms. Twila Dove We thank these special donors $10,000–$49,999 Foundation Mr. Craig Hester Mr. Nicholas Frankel for their generosity during the Anonymous (1) Ms. Susan A. Fredericks Katz Coffee Mr. Ray Groover, Jr. past year through Dec. 20, 2015: American Wind Energy Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Andrew Kimmel and Suzanne Jim Hu and Debby Siegele $1 Million & Above Association Gold Foundation Neumann Mark Hughes and Liz Strauss The Bass Foundation Arizona Game and Fish The Edward Gorey Charitable Mr. Michael J. Koski* Ms. Mary Jasnowski* The Tim and Karen Hixon Department Trust Ms. Elysabeth Kleinhans Mr. William J. Karwoski Foundation BAND Foundation The Greller Gallery Mr. Charlene M. Kramer Ms. Catherine Kuhlman The Kronkosky Charitable The Barkley Fund Dr. Stanley and Jill Herman Bill and Jane Lacy Mr. Jerry E. Leach Foundation The Berglund Family Foundation Esther F. Hope, D.V.M., D.A.B.T Ms. Diane Lamb* Ms. Susan Loesser The Mays Family Foundation Ms. Elizabeth M. Boeckman Violet Margly Ms. Deborah Lannigan-Macara Jack and Carolyn Long Charles and Lael Chester Mary Carr Melkonian Dr. Lee W. Lenz Mr. Vaughn C. Maley, Jr.* $100,000–$999,999 The Christensen Fund George M. Neall III Virginia and Michael Lester Dr. Charlea Massion Anonymous (1) The Elizabeth Huth Coates The Negaunee Foundation Ed and Laura Littlefield Mr. Kevin McCarthy* The Brown Foundation, Inc. Charitable Foundation The Norman Foundation, Inc. Mr. John D. Logan Ms. Kristie Miller of Houston The Malcolm C. Damuth Anne Pattee and Hamilton Hale The McKenzie River Gathering Ms. Melissa Mitchell Maltz Family Foundation Foundation Ms. Emily J. Nelson/Lloyd Foundation Lawrence and Eileen Moyer* The Meadows Foundation Duke Energy Pinkerton Family Educational John and Jane Newman Ms. Laura C. Murphy* Ms. Beth Robertson EDP Renewables North America Trust Don and Lois Porter Mr. I. Terry Myers The Woodtiger Fund LLC The Singing Field Foundation Ms. Kathryn K. Powers Mrs. Consuelo M. Nelson Fondation Ensemble The SK Foundation Mr. Kent Purdy* Ms. Regina Phelps $50,000–$99,999 Dr. Cullen K. Geiselman Mr. Nicholas A. Skinner Mr. Philip Puschel Harry Plant and Amy Rao Disney Worldwide Ms. Rebecca Harvey The Webber Family Foundation Karen and Bill Rose Mr. Ronald Powell Conservation Fund Mr. William N. Mayo The West Star Foundation Ms. Rebecca C. Schad Ms. Gail B. Rosen EarthShare Ms. Candy R. Midkiff Whole Foods Market Ms. Anne Schukat Mr. Evan Shack Robert and Annie Graham The Leo Model Foundation, Inc. The Yerba Buena Fund Mary D. Smith* Mr. Christopher Svara* Iberdrola Renewables Ms. Marie Morgan The Estate of Ann S. Smith and Leonard and Joyce Tufts Bettina and Travis Mathis Natural Bridge Caverns, Inc. We thank these donors whose gifts Mr. Ellsworth R. Swift Ms. Marisa Walthall The Nature Conservancy NextEra Energy Foundation, Inc. were received between Sept. 1 and Barbara and Edward Sturm Mr. Lee Weiskott* Terry and Bill Pelster The Read Family Foundation Nov. 30, 2015: The Prentice Foundation, Inc. Pinnacle Wind, LLC Rio Tinto $1,000–$4,999 The Walter C. Sedgwick Fund of $250–$499 The Shield-Ayers SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Anonymous (5) the Tides Foundation Anonymous (1) Foundation Conservation Mr. Michael Adami-Sampson* The W.I.L.D. Foundation Ms. Leana Albuquerque

18 }bats Issue 1 2016 Ms. Donna Y. Aragona* Ms. Merrill Hunn* Ms. Claire Ward* Ms. Patricia A. Honsberger Ms. Donna O’Daniel Ms. JoEllen M. Arnold* Ms. Jazzmyn InIsis* Peter Cohen and Ann Watson Steve and Ms. Sue Payne Mr. and Mrs. Bret Barrett Ms. Mary Ann Joca* Mr. David A. White Patricia Hooley Mr. John Phillips, Jr. John and Sue Bassett Doug Busch and Andrea Jones Don and Deb Whitler Ms. Linda Hughes Don and Diana Plant Bill and Charlotte Bialek* Joshua and Julianna Kershen Ms. Sandy Wickman Mr. Mark W. Jackson Ms. Penelope Purtzer Ms. Pamela Blake* Ms. Leslie Kline* Dr. and Mrs. Larry Yates* Cal and Mr. Steven P. Quarles Ms. Tina Blewett* Mr. John T. Konther * Monthly Sustaining Donors Judy Jaeger Andrew and Janet Raddatz Mr. Gerald Blizzard Richard Kunz and Laura Plath George Jett and Ms. Jan Schroeder Mr. Jerry Boxman* Robert and Nancy Ley We thank these members who have Gwen Brewer Ms. Joan Simpson Mr. Steve Brandon Scott and Joy Linn named BCI in their wills: Ms. Jackie Johnson Mr. Larry Simpson Sherri and Robert Bray* Lee and Peter Lockwood Legacy Circle Ms. Joyce W. Johnston Mr .Douglas Bridwell* Dr. Lisa M. Lorelli Anonymous (15) Ms. Beverly McCain Jones Mr. Lee Simpson Mr. Robert T. Brown Ms. Jan Lower Mr. Don Allen Ms. Kathi Keeton Mr. David Skryja Ms. Gretchen Brummel* Ms. Dorrit Lowsen* Ms. JoEllen M. Arnold Ms. Jeff T. Kirkham Mr. Douglas Soroka Ms. Carole Burke Mr. Christopher Lynch* Ms. Cindy Barbee Ms. Sue Ellen Young Knolle Ms. Patti Sowka Jim and Paula Callaway Mr. David G. McKay* Ms. Jan E. Barnes Mr. Robert Kozmar Mr. Steve Starr Mr. Thomas A. Cassilly Mr. Matt McRae* Ms. Nancy Bernstein Ms. Vega A. Lalire Mr. Clint Stuart William and Janis Catalano* Mr. Walter Metzner Ms. Merrilyn Meigs Bonin Ms. Lenora Larson Ms. Pearl Sugarman Mr. J. Mark Cline Brian Michel and Jo Ann Herr Mr. Ken O. Bowman Ms. Tammy Lessig Mr. Eric Tapler Dennis Cohn and Yvonne Cort Ms. Marianne Misof Mr. Jerry Boxman M. L. Magrath Mr. Dick Taylor Mr. Barry Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Mistry Sherri and Robert Bray Ms. Mary Kay Manning Ms. Carol L. Thomas Ms. Alison A. Corcoran* Lew and Laura Moorman Ms. Elizabeth R. Brill Ms. Jayne H. Martin Ms. Joyce Thomas Ms. Tawny Corwin* Mr. James Murphy* Ms. Patricia E. Brown Dr. Charlea Massion Jean and Kenneth Thompson Ms. Susan Davidson Ms. Laura Nathanson* Mr. Scott Brown Michelle Maton and Ms. Elizabeth Tilbury Ms. Debra Davis* Sherron Bull and Dennis Painter* Mr. William Burgart Mike Schaeffer Mr. Art Tricka Ms. Lora B. Davis Mr. Gary Pellegrini* Ms. E. Nancy Burns Ms. Mimi McMillen William and Sandra Truckner Ms. Audrey Davis-Brand Mr. Steven Peno* Mr. Phillip Camitses Ms. Mary C. Miller Mr. John Dayton Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Piontkowski* Mr. Alexander Campbell Ms. Jerald A. Mitchell Leonard and Joyce Tufts Terri Upshaw and David Delegator Ms. Christine Proctor Ms. Cyndy Carroll Ms. Marie Morgan Ms. Tammy Vaughn Mr. Joshua Dey Ms. Patricia Reavy* Sky and Bobbi Chaney Lawrence and Ms. Nancy L. Weiss Ms. Kimberly W. Doyle* Mr. Jeffrey L. Richardson Ms. Amarjit Chopra Eileen Moyer Mr. David Baron Wood Ms. Denise Duhaime* Warren and Jayne Richmond* Ms. Martha Conklin Ms. Amy J. Munich Ms. Elaine Young Ms. Virginia G. Enrich Mr. Frank Robertson Ms. Twila Dove Ms. Ann Nehaya Walsh Mr. Anthony J. Zimmerman Ms. Carol Anne Freeman Mr. Timothy Roan* Mr. Clay Downey Stephanie and David Galt Mr. Ron Rydarowicz Ms. Dinah Drago UPDATES AND ADDITIONS Richard E. and Toni Goldsmith Ms. Diane Sanders* Ms. Frances Dye We have made every effort to make these lists Ms. Michelle Granson* Ms. Rhonda Sanders* Rev. Hugh L. Eckert complete. If you believe your name was left out Ms. Judith Gray Ms. Eliza Savage Ms. Lisa M. Edmondson in error, please call Sharon Sparlin, Major Gifts Manager, at 512-327-9721 ext. 46. Donald and Barbara Grayson Ms. Suzanne Scheidt Ms. Marie Farr Ms. Helen B. Green* Ms. Susy Schmitt* Ms. Michele Finley Mr. Steven L. Griffith Mr. Nelson Schneck Ms. Barbara French DONATE TODAY Ms. Adele Gunnarson* Steve and Mary Schneider* Ms. Tollie B. Gilliam To make a tax-deductible donation to BCI, Mr. Gregg F. Gunnell Ms. Jan Schroeder* Ms. Dawn Handschuh simply visit batcon.org/donate and fill in the requested donation information. For a list of Ms. Rebecca G. Hayes Ms. Sandy Simonson* Mr. Tom Haraden other ways to support bats and BCI, go to Mr. Matthew Hedman Mr. Thomas M. Spencer Daniel and Patrice Harriger batcon.org/waystogive. Ms. Alix Hegeler Louis and Mary Stumberg Ms. Christine Haugen Ms. Mary D. Herr* Ms. Joanna Tousey Mr. Ronald D. Hennessey Prefer to send a check? Please mail to: Ms. Anne Holt* Mr Richard Vaughan* Mr. Alan P. Hewett Bat Conservation International Ms. Amy Hopkins Ms. Leslie Vinson Margo Thomas and Stephen P.O. Box 140434 Mr. Matthew Hunker* Ms. Angela Wade* Holman Austin, TX 78714-0434

batcon.org bats { 19 bat FOR THE YOUNG CONSERVATIONIST

Game on BCI helps bring bats to Animal Jam’s online virtual world

uring Bat Week 2015, BCI education programs partnered with National worldwide. All of DGeographic’s Animal Jam to the bat facts were promote bat education. Animal Jam translated into five is a massively multiplayer online different languages, virtual world with more than 30 mil- and bat information lion registered players between the was sent in parent ages of 8 and 14. Animal Jam takes e-newsletters to over place in the world of Jamaa, which 610,000 subscribers is composed of various ecological in English alone! environments populated by player- While Bat Week created animal characters. Kids can may be over for now, interact with one another by par- you can still watch ticipating in multiplayer games and the videos at batcon. parties, all the while learning about org or play our animals and the environment. echolocation game with your kids. We BCI collaborated with Animal Jam will continue our collaboration with SIGN UP To subscribe to the to create two short films featuring Animal Jam this year, so make sure Bat Chat e-newsletter Bracken Cave and games to teach kids to read our monthly e-newsletter, Bat visit batcon.org/ about echolocation. Players can watch Chat, for information on how you can getnewsletter. the videos in the game and discover get involved! bat facts hidden throughout the BCI Director of online world of Jamaa. Animal Jam Communication and also created bat characters for players Public Engagement to create and use as their avatars in Micaela Jemison and Animal Jamming Bracken Cave are the online game. The following are all real comments from Animal Jam participants: featured in an Animal The collaboration is a part of BCI’s Jam video. efforts to further the reach of our n Those are some cool pictures of bats, on Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, and thanks Bat Conservation for help- Texas. There were 1.5 million of them! ing these amazing flying mammals! They eat a lot of insects every night. n My favorite bat is the Honduran white n Has anyone else ever seen a flying bat! They nibble on one side of the leaf fox? It’s a kind of fruit bat, and it looks and it folds over. They hang onto the REALLY cute. stem! It’s so cute! n Love bats, love these pictures, and if I n Someone saw that I loved bats so love these pictures, I love Bat Conser- they told be about this website! I really vation International. Keep Jamming! love bats. n ‘Pawsome’ work, Bat Conservation n Bats deserve to be saved! Bats are so International!! Bats are beautiful and cool!!! Some of them are super cute, deserve to be saved. some look just plain awesome! Vampires n Bats are awesome and epic. must be lucky if they can transform into n I love bats so much! They are so strange these amazing creatures! in a cool way. I have sooo much to ask n Bats are so cool! I saw a lot of bats once about bats. Why are bats so cool? Photo: Animal Jam

20 }bats Issue 1 2016 on the

BCI staff and board members search for ON E Florida bonneted bats on an Explorers L A S T Club-certified expedition. LOOK Photo: Ralph Arwood A Florida adventure

By MICAELA JEMISON, BCI Director of Communication and Public Engagement

embers of Bat Conservation International’s Board of Directors, along with BCI staff, recently waded through alligator-infested swamps Min Florida in search of the elusive Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus). Using special “peeper” cameras on telescoping poles, the participants in the expedition were able to look in hard-to-reach cavities for the rare bat. While no Florida bonneted bats were found, the trip was still a worthwhile experience that had the added significance of being a certified ACROSS expedition by the Explorers Club. THE BOARD Founded in New York in 1904, the Explorers Club aims to “promote the To meet the scientific exploration of land, sea, air and space by supporting research and members of BCI’s Board of Directors education in the physical, natural and biological sciences.” Carrying the and BCI staff, and Explorers Club flag on a certified expedition is considered a great honor. to find other BCI mission resources, visit batcon.org.

batcon.org bats { 21 NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID MADISON, WI PERMIT NO. 1259

P.O. Box 162603 Austin, TX 78716-2603 U.S.A.

BCI-005

Introducing the Song Meter SM4BAT FS and ZC. The smallest and lightest weatherproof bat detectors/recorders available.

When designing our new Song Meters, we focused on a singular mission: Make bat research easier, more flexible, secure, efficient and affordable. Easier. First, the SM4BAT is small, light and easy to carry. You can easily fit many into a backpack for trips deep into the field. We’ve made programing easier too. Its built-in schedules were designed specifically for bat research. Choose a schedule that’s best for the task – or easily create your own. More flexible.Regardless of your data collection preferences, there’s an SM4BAT for you. The FS collects full-spectrum data. The ZC is the ultimate recorder for zero-crossing users. More efficient. Your goal: Collect the right data, and collect a lot of it. The SM4BAT was designed around 4 D-size batteries. Combined with a new, low-power processor, and more than a terabyte of storage capacity, the SM4BAT gives you the longest deployment times of any recorder available today. More secure. Water and weather are no match for the SM4BAT. Its rugged polycarbonate case with an integrated, lockable security cover ensures that your recorders – and your data – are always kept dry, safe and secure. More affordable.The SM4BAT is the most affordable single-channel recorder on the market, allowing you to purchase more recorders for your project. And you can use a single GPS accessory to automat- ically set the date, time and location settings of all recorders, or log the recording locations and path.

Order one or more SM4BAT FS or ZC before August 31, 2016 and we will donate $50 to Bat Conservation International. Use promo code SM4BATBCI when ordering.

wildlifeacoustics.com/bats