Bats in Crisis and How You Can Help

Proceeds benefits BiodiversityWorks and Polly Hill Arboretum

BiodiversityWorks biologists Liz Baldwin and Luanne Johnson will share an update on their work to monitor and protect remnant populations of bats on Martha’s Vineyard, and how private lands and homes can play a role in their conservation. Northern long-eared and little brown bats have historically been the most abundant bat species in New England. Since the arrival of white-nose syndrome, however, these bats’ numbers have plummeted such that they are threatened with extinction in Massachusetts. Learn about the populations discovered to be overwintering on the Cape and Islands, and what we can do to help them. After the talk, Luanne and Liz will open mist nets across the forest paths in the Arboretum to try and catch some bats. Everyone is welcome to stay and observe. Flashlights, long pants and long sleeves are recommended for after dark bat observing.

Wildlife Biologists, Luanne Johnson and Liz Baldwin founded BiodiversityWorks, a 501c3 non-profit, in 2011. Their mission is to promote conservation of biodiversity through wildlife research and monitoring while providing opportunities for people to engage in hands on nature study. Together, they monitor and study a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians around the Island.

Liz Baldwin has a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of New Hampshire and an M.S. in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England. Her thesis focused on river otter activity patterns, behavior and abundance on Martha’s Vineyard.

Luanne Johnson has a B.S. in Zoology from Butler University and a PhD in Environmental Studies and Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England. Her dissertation work focused on the behavioral ecology of coastal striped skunks to better understand their interactions with beach-nesting birds on Martha’s Vineyard.