June 11, 2003 (rt23 news) - The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking volunteers to assist the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) in collecting important distribution and status information for bats throughout the state this summer.

In the spring, bats move out of their winter hibernation sites and disperse to other areas. Female bats of some species form large maternity colonies where they nurse and raise their young, while male bats roost singly or in small clusters. Summer roosts may be located in churches, barns, houses, abandoned buildings, bridges, bat boxes, or trees. The DEP is looking for volunteers who know of a summer bat roost to conduct a count of the bats as they exit at dusk to feed. The count will be conducted twice during the summer between late May and August.

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In New Jersey, very little is known about the status and distribution of bats. The ENSP hopes the Summer Bat Count will document summer roosting locations throughout New Jersey and help to create an accurate range map for the state’s nine species of bats.

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The Summer Bat Count will also help to educate the public about the importance of bats and encourage people to take steps toward their conservation.

Without bats feeding on night-flying insects, society would be much more dependent on toxic pesticides to control insect pests. Outside of the eastern United States, bats play key roles in pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds for important agricultural plants. However, more than half of American bat species are in severe decline or are already listed as endangered. Worldwide, losses are occurring at alarming rates.

To find out how you can help protect New Jersey’s bats and participate in the Summer Bat Count, visit the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website at . www.njfishandwildlife.com.

Posted by: Staff at rt23.com
June 11, 2003
18:36:27