Wisconsin bats need you!
Master Naturalists are sought after to help develop a network of Bat Ambassadors to share knowledge and enthusiasm about bats with others in formal and informal settings on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Wisconsin Bat Program. Participants leave this training as a graduated member of the “Bat Ambassador Team ” with access to a DNR bat PowerPoint plus other teaching aides and activities, including the ability to check-out an Echo-meter Touch Pro bat detector for android smart phones from our detector library. Participants will be introduced to bat viewing sites and bat hibernacula accessible to the public where volunteer naturalist guides are needed to help teach about bats.
Description: This two-day training will provide a broad overview of bat biology and ecology, field techniques, citizen-based monitoring of bats, bat diseases, backyard & landscape-level conservation and management for bats, as well as providing tips & techniques for teaching the public and children about bats. Approximately half of the training will take place in a classroom and half in the field and includes evening field experiences. Training presenters will be DNR Bat Program staff. Master Naturalist participants will receive 16 hours of Advanced Training hours.
Service Commitment: Trained Bat Ambassadors must provide a public outreach event within one year. Examples of outreach events include: giving a bat talk, leading a bat acoustic walk, bat roost emergence count or viewing, bat house building workshop, Halloween event bat booth, etc. An outreach event can include groups either identified and forwarded by the DNR Bat Program or identified by the participant in their local community (library, school, nature center, state park, scouts, etc.) These events would count toward Master Naturalist volunteer hours.
Field experiences will include low-light situations, uneven terrain, and prolonged standing. Horseshoe Bay Cave involves crawling on hands and knees for a minimum of 20 feet to the first room where you can stand up and then additional crawling 200 ft in and 200 ft out for those who wish to participate in the full cave tour. Knee pads, helmets, and lights are provided. Accommodation requests must be stated at the time of registration. An alternate cave field site is available for those who may not be able to crawl.
When: (attendance required both days)
- Thursday, July 20, 2023: 10am-5pm and 7-10pm
- Friday, July 21, 2023: 9-5pm
Where: Peninsula State Park & Horseshoe Bay Cave at Frank E. Murphy County Park
- Bring your own food and transportation.
Join Waiting List Register before July 10.
Fee: $75
The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program and the DNR believe that finances should not be a barrier to learning. Financial assistance is available during registration for those who indicate the fee is a hardship.
Cancellation Policy: A full refund is provided (less a $25 administrative fee) for any cancellations received before July 10. No refunds will be made after that date. If the training is cancelled due to low enrollment, all registrants will be notified and will receive a full refund.