Karen Vanderwolf (Trent University), in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, is looking for citizen scientists to contribute to research aimed at better understanding how our native bats are using bat boxes, and the effectiveness of their design.
“Our research seeks to determine which bat species use bat boxes across Canada, what box designs are preferred by bats, and which temperatures bats prefer for roosting in our northern climate. To accomplish this, we need to know where bat boxes are located in Canada, the physical characteristics of the boxes, and whether they are being used by bats! Participants will be sent temperature loggers to install in their box and supplies to collect guano (bat poop), as bat species can be identified from guano.”
Bats in Canada face multiple threats from habitat loss and disease, and three of our native species are now considered endangered. Your participation in this research could provide valuable insights regarding an increasingly important conservation tool.
For more information please review the information kit being circulated by Karen Vanderwolf: