Managing Bats in Managing Bats in BuildingsBuildings

The NPS PerspectiveThe NPS Perspective

Jeremy MossJeremy Moss

Tumacácori National Historical ParkTumacácori National Historical Park

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Bats in NPS BuildingsBats in NPS Buildings

Variety of NPS structures that may have batsVariety of NPS structures that may have bats Modern Modern

Offices, housing (employee, visitor), storageOffices, housing (employee, visitor), storage

Historic Buildings and Structures (often includes Historic Buildings and Structures (often includes Visitor Centers and other facilities/public areas, Visitor Centers and other facilities/public areas, bridges, etc)bridges, etc)

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Archaeological Sites (adobe and stone masonry Archaeological Sites (adobe and stone masonry structures) structures)

Shelters covering archaeological sitesShelters covering archaeological sites

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E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C ACasa Grande National Monument, AZ

Deciding whether to exclude from NPS Deciding whether to exclude from NPS buildings buildings risk assessment, decision treerisk assessment, decision tree need to know species and type need to know species and type

of useof use

Other options Other options e.g. close buildings during roosting season, e.g. close buildings during roosting season,

repurpose/adapt buildings, etc.repurpose/adapt buildings, etc.

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Exclusion Techniques-NPSExclusion Techniques-NPS

Exclusion considerations and techniques for Exclusion considerations and techniques for historical/cultural/archaeological structures:historical/cultural/archaeological structures:

- Locating and removing openings. If already Locating and removing openings. If already being used timing is key to avoid impacts to being used timing is key to avoid impacts to species/interactions. species/interactions.

- Use of bird netting to remove potential roosting Use of bird netting to remove potential roosting locations and temporarily cover existing holes locations and temporarily cover existing holes being used as entry points.being used as entry points.

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-Assessment of surfaces Assessment of surfaces

(bats like rough surfaces they can hang on to)(bats like rough surfaces they can hang on to)

-Survey to identify species (behavior can differ)Survey to identify species (behavior can differ)

-T&E present?T&E present?

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Exclusion Techniques-NPSExclusion Techniques-NPS

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Example of exclusion of bats using gap in doorway

Exclusion Techniques-NPSExclusion Techniques-NPS

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Removal/exclusion from attic, netting is loose on bottom end allowing bats to leave but not re-enter

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Consider the surfaces where bats roost and plan ahead

Rough

Smooth

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Netting may work in some places but not all

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Exclusion Techniques-NPSExclusion Techniques-NPS

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Closure is sometimes warranted

Exclusion at archaeological Exclusion at archaeological sitessites

Difference between open air and closed air Difference between open air and closed air sites (sites under shelters or in caves) sites (sites under shelters or in caves)

Many of the same solutions for buildings apply Many of the same solutions for buildings apply but there must be consideration of impacts but there must be consideration of impacts

Pallid bat at Tumacacori

Reverse-ability without damaging the site is Reverse-ability without damaging the site is keykey

Need to consider how gaps are filled using Need to consider how gaps are filled using exclusion materials (adhesives can be very exclusion materials (adhesives can be very damaging to walls)damaging to walls)

Must have a good understanding of materials Must have a good understanding of materials comprising sites to understand impacts and comprising sites to understand impacts and determine if there is a need for exclusion determine if there is a need for exclusion (some buildings made of stone masonry may (some buildings made of stone masonry may not be impacted by bat use)not be impacted by bat use)

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Exclusion at archaeological Exclusion at archaeological sites and NHPA compliancesites and NHPA compliance

Should consider how exclusion techniques will Should consider how exclusion techniques will effect historic integrity, condition, and general effect historic integrity, condition, and general setting or feel of the site.setting or feel of the site.

If exclusion is selected as an option If exclusion is selected as an option consultation with State Historic Preservation consultation with State Historic Preservation Office and affiliated tribal governments is Office and affiliated tribal governments is needed if resource is listed or is a potential needed if resource is listed or is a potential eligible historic property (NRHP, NHL).eligible historic property (NRHP, NHL).

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Exclusion and NEPAExclusion and NEPA

When to look for bats if construction planned When to look for bats if construction planned (depends on where your at but, especially (depends on where your at but, especially during summer.)during summer.)

NEPA compliance is neededNEPA compliance is needed Planned (know bats are there)Planned (know bats are there) Unplanned (discover bats during process) Unplanned (discover bats during process)

STOP! Re-assess project.STOP! Re-assess project.

Environmental Screening FormEnvironmental Screening Form

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Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

Monitoring exclusion resultsMonitoring exclusion results

- bats may stay, but find another spot- bats may stay, but find another spot

Bat houses and NPS policy Bat houses and NPS policy

- health and safety issues- health and safety issues

T & E considerations - time of year - possibility of young (avoid) - consultation required

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ConclusionsConclusions Plan ahead Plan ahead Iterative process/adaptive managementIterative process/adaptive management Know where to go for helpKnow where to go for help Educate all park Divisions on proper responses, Educate all park Divisions on proper responses,

who to contact (safety first but balanced)who to contact (safety first but balanced) Identify and mitigate risks before attempted Identify and mitigate risks before attempted

exclusionexclusion In some cases tolerance may be warrantedIn some cases tolerance may be warranted Staff and public education is keyStaff and public education is key Remember bats are beneficial and exclusion Remember bats are beneficial and exclusion

should attempt to consider effects on populationsshould attempt to consider effects on populations

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Thanks!

Photo creditsPhoto credits

Photos of bats taken by NPS and Karen Krebbs Photos of bats taken by NPS and Karen Krebbs during bat inventory project working with during bat inventory project working with Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum (CESU)Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum (CESU)

All other photos taken by NPS (Tumacacori NHP All other photos taken by NPS (Tumacacori NHP and Casa Grande NM, Arizona)and Casa Grande NM, Arizona)

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