Trexler Park Bat Box Implementation Project

ByRebecca Hernandez

Bradley Leitgeb

Project Overview and Goals

➢ Community project that seeks to improve some aspect of the Trexler Park

➢ Focus on bat populations ➢ To install several bat boxes ➢ Improve conservational,

educational, and aesthetic aspects present

➢ To successfully design & implement this project within the time frame of a semester

Little Brown Bat and Big Brown Bat Species

Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus

Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus

Scientific Background

➢ Big Brown Bat,Eptesicus fuscus

➢ Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus

➢ These species of bat range

throughout temperate North America

➢ Echolocation insectivores

➢ Individual bats are known to ingest

much of their weight in various

insects each night

➢ Both species require natural or man

made cavities where they can roost

or hibernate

➢ Ex: Buildings, trees, caves, and bat

boxes

➢ Both species’ populations across the

northeast have been affected by the

spread of a disease: White Nose

Syndrome

The Problem: White Nose Syndrome

Photo: Al Hicks; New York Department of Environment

The Problem: White Nose Syndrome

➢ Pseudogymnoascus destructans ➢ 90% mortality among affected

bats➢ Starvation due to disturbed

hibernation➢ Spreads through direct contact➢ Also spread on humans➢ Much still unknown

Photo: Gudrun Wibbelt, et al

Distribution/Spread

http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map

Benefits of Bat Boxes

➢ Supports local bat populations

➢ Decline in insects= ➢ Agriculture, economy,

ecosystems, health, enjoyment of park

➢ Fight against WNS➢ Unaffected bat population

growth & regeneration➢ Promotes species

conservation ➢ Provides educational

opportunities

Implementation & Design

➢ 5 boxes➢ Approx. 25 - 35 ft off

ground➢ Cedar construction➢ Animal-safe,

weatherproof coating➢ $40 per box➢ Free volunteer

installation

Maintenance

➢ Minimal➢ No clean up, open

bottom➢ Occasional

repainting/sealing every few years

➢ Optional annual checks for success of the boxes and check for presences of bat populations

Location Description

➢ Tall trees (Locust, Walnut, Oak)

➢ Open areas ➢ Water source (food

source)➢ No spacing or noise

concerns➢ Visible in plain sight

Locations

Location 1

Location 1

Location 2

Location 2

Location 3

Location 3

Location 4

Location 4

Location 5

Location 5

Dissemination

➢ Passive and non-invasive manner

➢ Collaboration with other student groups to work on informational outreach

➢ Discrete QR codes ➢ Information via

smartphones ➢ Informational awareness

about the Bat Box Project and about local bat populations

WNS. Org

Special Thanks

Special thanks to the Friends of Allentown Parks, Scott Burnet, Dr. Sarah Bouboulis, Peter

Saenger, and Dr. Heiman for their expertise and support in this project

ReferencesBouboulis, Sarah. Email interview. 24 Feb. 2014.Burnet, Scott. Personal interview. 1 Mar. 2014.Frick, Winifred F., Jacob F. Pollock, Alan C. Hicks, Kate E. Langwing, D. Scott Reynolds, Gregory G. Turner, Calvin M.

Butchkoski, and Thomas H. Kunz. "An Emerging Disease Causes Regional Population Collapse of a Common North American Bat Species." Science Magazine 6 Aug. 2010: 679-682. An Emerging Disease Causes Regional Population Collapse of a Common North American Bat Species. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.

Havens, Aaron. "ADW: Myotis lucifugus: INFORMATION." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Myotis_lucifugus/>.

Mulheisen, Michael, and Kathleen Berry. "ADW: Eptesicus fuscus: INFORMATION." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Eptesicus_fuscus/>.

"White-Nose Syndrome." White-Nose Syndrome. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/more/wildlife/white-nose_syndrome.html>.

"White-Nose Syndrome Map." White-nose syndrome map. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map>.

"White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America." Fort Collins Science Center. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.fort.usgs.gov/wns/>.

Young, Susan. "Culprit behind bat scourge confirmed." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nature.com/news/2011/111026/full/news.2011.613.html>.