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 2 bat detector for 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. Being a certified Master Naturalist or having registered to become a Master Naturalist is not a requirement to attend, but is strongly recommended.
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. Training will take place in a classroom and in the field. Training presenters will be DNR Bat Program and US Forest Service staff. Master Naturalist participants will receive 13 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 an example ‘Bats of Wisconsin’ talk for a public audience, mist-netting for wild bats, and acoustic monitoring techniques at night at Beaver Creek Reserve. Also, a daytime cave and karst workshop in both commercial and wild caves at Crystal Cave in nearby Spring Valley. Participants in the area or arriving the night before are invited to join an optional summer roost emergence count at a location about one hour northwest of Eau Claire. All field trips will include low-light situations and short hikes on uneven terrain. Some will include prolonged standing and several sets of stairs, with optional hands and knees crawling.
When: (attendance required both days)
- May 16, 9 a.m.–9:30 p.m. (meal break from 5:30–7:30 p.m.)
- May 17, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where:
Beaver Creek Reserve, Fall Creek, WI
Fee: $75
You are responsible for your own food, transportation and lodging.
Instructors: Jennifer Redell, Paul White, Heather Kaarakka, and Brian Heeringa
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.
Space is limited. Registration closes on May 6.
Cancellation Policy: A full refund is provided (less a $25 administrative fee) for any cancellations received before May 6. 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.