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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 01 12 Attached Distributed to Board by Steven RichartDate: January 12, 2005 ATTACHED DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD BY STEVEN RICHART, URBAN BEAUTIFICATION SERVICES DIVISION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Bat Conservation International GLOBAL GRASSROOTS BAT CONSERVATION FUND Introduction and Instructions Thank you for your inquiry. Bat Conservation International (BCI) is committed to supporting high-quality, grassroots bat conservation efforts around the world. In general, we look for: habitat protection projects with significant ecological and/or economic value; research projects that produce data directly applicable to conservation activities; and educational projects that teach local citizens the value of protecting bats. We are most interested in supporting local, in-country conservationists and researchers. We especially look for projects in which BCI's support will be matched by other sources. If your project fulfills one, or preferably more, of these criteria, you may be eligible for assistance through BCI's Global Grassroots Conservation Fund. This assistance may consist of grant funding (usually between $500 and $5,000), use of loaned equipment, complimentary educational materials, training, and/or detailed consultation with BCI biologists. Please complete the attached application and describe your project's objectives, methodology, timeline, and conservation value, as well as individual or group qualifications, in a 3-page narrative. Return the application, narrative, a detailed project budget, and any necessary supporting material, to Barbara French at the address at the bottom of this page. There is no deadline for returning the application, as applications are reviewed on an on-going basis. For the most part, the program's business is handled in English, although reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate correspondence in other languages when necessary. Upon receipt of your completed application, BCI will analyze the extent to which your project matches our objectives, gather outside reviews from scientific advisors, compare your project to other current requests, and possibly contact you with additional questions. You will receive a decision regarding funding within 6 to 8 weeks of receipt of your application. If your application is approved for support, you will be sent an assistance agreement that describes BCI's commitment to your project and asks you, in turn, to agree to supply BCI with a written mid-term update, a final report, photographs documenting your achievements, and samples of any materials produced as a result of your project. The assistance agreement must be signed and returned to BCI in order to receive funding, equipment, and/or materials. Thank you again for your inquiry. We appreciate your dedication to bat conservation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Barbara French at: Address: Bat Conservation International ATTN: Barbara French P.O. Box 162603 Austin, TX 78716-2603 USA Phone: 1-512-327-9721 Fax: 1-512-327-9724 Email: french@batcon.org Bat Conservation International GLOBAL GRASSROOTS CONSERVATION FUND Application for Project Funding Primary contact's name :.......................................................................................................................... Title or Job Description :.......................................................................................................................... ~ Organization :........................................................................................................................................... Address :................................................................................................................................................... Phone#: FAX #: E-mail :................................................... Applicant Information General category of project (circle all that apply): Conservation Education Research j Short title of project :.................................................................................................................................. I Location of project :................................................................................................................................... Expected beginning and ending dates of project :...................................................................................... Amount of total requested from BCI :........................................................................................................ Amount of total obtained from other sources :........................................................................................... Total budget :.............................................................................................................................................. Previous BCI grants and amounts :............................................................................................................ Payment Information (if different from Applicant Information) :.............................................................. Project Information Project Abstract I A 3-page project narrative and itemized budget MUST be attached! 2 Certification I certify that I am the primary author of the proposal, and that it was researched and developed primarily by me. I certify that the information contained in this application and the attached proposal and budget are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I agree to accept responsibility for the scientific conduct of this project and to provide the required mid-term progress and final reports, and photo-documentation of project activities, if an award is made as a result of this application. Name (printed or typed): Date: Signature: .. Helpful Hmts For Project Proposals Based on our past experience, the following information will benefit all involved with this granting process: * Please keep your proposal brief and concise. If possible, include a location map and a short section on the background or history of your project. Explain your project's importance for bats. * Clearly explain the budget, including in-kind services from partners. Report figures in US dollars only. * For cave or mine gating project proposals, submit design details. Only standard, proven bat-friendly gate designs will be considered. * Global Grassroots Conservation Fund funding is separate from BCI's Student Scholarship Program and the North American Bat Conservation Partnership's Conservation Fund. Questions about those funding programs can be directed to Andy Moore, Conservation Specialist, at (512) 327-9721 or <amoore@batcon.org. * Bat house projects should be coordinated through Mark Kiser, North American Bat House Project Coordinator, at (512) 327-9721 or <mkiser@batcon.org>. The Global Grassroots Bat Conservation Fund: Introduction The Global Grassroots Bat Conservation Fund: Introduction Introduction ~ Funded Projects Application Worldwide support for local-level bat conservation What is Global Grassroots? The Global Grassroots Bat Conservation Fund (the Global Grassroots Fund) is a special program through which Bat Conservation International (BCI) provides training, materials, and small grants to local conservationists protecting bats and their habitats around the world. After years of supporting international bat conservationists on an ad-hoc basis, BCI established the Global Grassroots Fund in 2000 to provide a uniform application process for comparing competing projects and planning future expenditures. We have seen the incredible impact that a package of educational materials, a few supplies, or a small grant can have on a field conservationist's ability to make a difference. Click here to see a list of projects already funded. How the Global Grassroots Conservation Fund Works If your project meets the goals of the Global Grassroots Fund, you may be eligible to receive grant funding, use of loaned equipment, complimentary educational materials, training, and/or detailed consultation with BCI biologists. Check previously funded projects (link) to determine if support has already been given in your project's geographic region. Priority will be given to new projects in regions not covered during the previous year. Small grant requests in the $500 to $1000 range are more likely to receive funding. Maximum grant amount is $5000. Application Criteria and Ranking Using the following criteria, we prefer to support projects: Coordinated by people in the region. We do occasionally support travel to assist or participate in training. Page 1 of 4 http://www.batcon.org/ggr/index.html 12/30/2004 The Global Grassroots Bat Conservation Fund: Introduction . That use grant money primarily for in-country activities and/or equipment directly associated with the project. For example, we avoid providing large sums of money for equipment such as computers unless the equipment is part of a facility dedicated to bat conservation. . With collaborative support and matching funds. Must demonstrate that project results in sustainable bat conservation. . That are not academic or student studies. Such projects are encouraged to apply to BCI's Student Scholarship Program. We rank applications according to: . Conservation value following these criteria (though not necessarily in this order): 1. Level of urgency: Those projects requiring immediate action will be reviewed sooner than others. 2. Project components: Education, conservation, and research (two or more are preferable). 3. Scale of. influence: Projects capable of conserving entire ecosystems may be given preference over those that benefit a single population. . Relevance to Global Program criteria (as stated above) . Methodology: Appropriate design and ability to evaluate success . Feasibility: Time, funding, logistics and experience . Salaries should not comprise more than 10% of grant request To apply, you must submit: ~ an appllCatlOn [Adobe Acrobat Reader required] . a three-page narrative of project objectives, methodology, timeline, conservation value, and individual/group qualifications . a detailed project budget Please print and complete the online application sheet and mail it with the narrative and project budget to: Bat Conservation International Global Grassroots Program ATTN: Barbara French 500 Capital of Texas Highway N. http://www.batcon. org/ggr/index.html Page 2 of 4 12/30/2004 The Global Grassroots Bat Conservation Fund: Introduction Bldg. 1, Suite 200 Austin TX 78746 USA If you prefer you may fax the application and supporting documents to Global Grassroots Program 1-512-327-9724. You may also receive a hard copy of the application, or send your completed application by e- mailing Barbara French at global.@batcon.org. Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis. On reviewing your application, BCI staff will determine whether your project matches our objectives, solicit reviews from scientific advisors, and compare the project against other requests. Funding decisions are typically made within six to eight weeks. Business is primarily handled in English, although efforts will be made to correspond in other languages when necessary. If your proposal is approved, BCI will send you a contract which must be signed and returned to BCI before funding, equipment, and/or materials are distributed. The contract states that you agree to supply BCI with a written mid-term update, a final report, photographs* documenting your activities and achievements, and samples of other materials (brochures, press releases, etc.) produced as a result of your project. *Please read this Acrobat pdf, BCI's Photographic Guidelines, for information on submitting appropriate photographs. Helpful Hints on Designing Your Project . Do your homework first Many models and materials for conservation and education projects have already been developed and may apply to your region. . Ask questions Talk to other conservationists and researchers. Learn about the priorities and needs for bats in your area, and enlist the help of others at the same time. . Be realistic Can you meet your objectives? Can you complete the tasks required on the budget you've planned? Do you or your team have the right experience, or do you need extra training? • Use your research For example, are you gathering data? If so, how will it be used? Will you present your data to government officials to assist in their planning process, and how will you present it to them? Page 3 of 4 http://www.batcon.org/ggr/index.html 12/30/2004 The Global Grassroots Bat Conservation Fund: Introduction • Plan to evaluate Measuring your progress is very important. For example, if you are teaching about bats, test students before and after your project to see how much they learned. Or, if you are protecting a cave or mine, use standard survey procedures to document population growth. BCI staff are happy to discuss any of these aspects of project development with you. We also have a large network of scientific advisors and colleagues who can lend expertise and guidance. Direct your programmatic questions to Barbara French at french.@batcon.org. Please note: The Global Grassroots Baf Conservation Fund is operated separately from BCI's Student. Scholarship Program and the North American Bat Conservation Partnership's_Conservation Fund. Direct questions about those programs to the appropriate coordinator at BCI. © Bat Conservation International, Inc., 2001. Absolutely no rights of distribution by sale or other transfer of ownership or by rental, lease or lending, preparation of derivative works, or reproduction, in whole or in part, is granted. No text, graphics or photos may be downloaded and used on another Internet site, without express permission of BCI. To obtain permission or further information, send your request to vrc@batcon.org. BCI reserves the rights to actively protect against infringement. Date of last update: 10-22-02 Page 4 of 4 http://www.batcon.org/ggr/index.html 12/30/2004 .. North American Bat Conservation Partnership ~~p 2005 CONSERVATION FUND APPLICA TION INSTR UCTIONS WHAT IS FUNDED? The Conservation Fund is available to help support projects that most effectively aid North American bats. Each proposal is ranked in the following eight areas: 1. Support of the priorities of the North American Bat Conservation Plan [http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html] . 2. Project feasibility, based on stated methodology, budget, personnel, and completion schedule. 3. Appropriateness of approach to solving the stated problem. 4. Impact in protecting large numbers of bats or populations that are especially important to endangered or rapidly declining species. 5. Probability that this action will benefit additional fauna or flora beyond bats. 6. Project contribution to population recovery, improved management policies, or site protection without ongoing resource commitment. 7. Project urgency. 8. Amount of cooperation and support from partners and volunteers. All proposals are reviewed by regional bat experts, and only those projects receiving the highest rankings will get priority consideration for assistance. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Any organization, state or federal agency, or business in Canada, Mexico, the United States, and their territories may apply if their proposal meets the criteria above. Student research towards a degree is not eligible. University or agency overhead may not be taken out of any grants awarded. Payments can not be made to individuals; all checks must be able to be made to company, agency, or other institution. WHAT DO I SUBMIT AND WHEN? All applicants must submit an official Application Form and supporting information (see below) to the Conservation Fund Coordinator at Bat Conservation International by 15 November 2004. Please send applications as a Microsoft Word attachment or Acrobat pdf. file to the a-mail address below. Hard copies will NOT be accepted. Applications should be submitted in English. Maximum amount awarded is $5000 and request must be in U. S. dollars. Supporting information should include: • Project significance, including previous bat-related work in the study area, urgency of the proposed work, and benefits. Relate this to the appropriate Strategic Plan section. (one page maximum) • Detailed project narrative, including project methodology. State detailed hypotheses for research projects. Bat house plans or gate designs and locations must also be included, if appropriate to the project. List expected outcomes and products. (three pages maximum) • Location map(s) showing the project location, boundaries, and proposed study areas. • Complete timeline, indicating starting and ending dates for the project, and landmark dates by which progress can be judged. (one page maximum) • Detailed budget, including contributions by other agencies and organizations and in-kind donations. All figures to be in U. S. dollars. U. S. Federal Government rates for food, lodging, and mileage shall not be exceeded in the budget. In-kind contributions of equipment must be prorated for the life of the project, and may not be claimed at full value. (i.e., $1000 binoculars with an expected life span of 50 years (2600 weeks), used 10 weeks on project, can be claimed for $3.85, or 10/2600 of value). (one page maximum) • Principle Investigator's bat experience relevant to this project (including relevant publications), and a brief description of any other major participants' experience. (one page maximum) The completed application package should be no more than 10 pages, including our Application for Project Funding form. Do not include letters of support or the Principle Investigator's full curriculum vitae. Applications will be judged on their individual merits, but it is up to the applicant to provide enough background and justification to assist the reviewers in making informed decisions. Remember that while the reviewers are well-based in bat conservation, ecology, and field methodology, they probably do not know about the significance of your study area, the threat to the bats there, what work has previously been done in your area, the impact your proposed work will have, and so on. It is up to you to tell them, as clearly and succinctly as possible. Only projects planned to be started in calendar year 2005 will be selected. NABCP funding is for one year only. Multiple-year projects should be divided into individual components or phases, with annual applications submitted for each phase. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I SUBMIT MY PROPOSAL? The Conservation Fund Coordinator ensures that proposals are complete and appropriate to the North American Bat Conservation Plan before forwarding them for review to at least three regional or national experts whose knowledge is most relevant to the proposed projects. Submitted materials will not be returned. After the rankings and comments are received from the reviewers and compiled, we notify all applicants by the end of February as to whether or not they will be funded, and for what amount. Funding may be approved for a lower amount than was originally requested, based on funding availability. Grant recipients must sign a liability waiver and Funding Agreement. Recipients agree to a midterm progress report and a final report. When we receive the signed agreement, we will release the first payment of 75% of the committed funds. The remaining 25% will be retained by NABCP until the project is completed, and we receive an acceptable report and professional quality photos of project activities. Photo guidelines will be sent with your Funding Agreement, and should be read and followed. Any articles or other published materials pertaining to your project should be sent to the Conservation Fund Coordinator. WHAT IF THE DETAILS OF MY PROPOSAL CHANGE? Grant recipients must notify the Conservation Fund Coordinator immediately if their project falls behind its approved schedule for completion. Extensions must be granted and are not automatic. If major changes occur after the project is initiated (such as scaling down due to other anticipated fiords not coming through), a written request to amend the submitted proposal should be sent to the Conservation Fund Coordinator. If the project is not significantly changed from the original intent, such requests will likely be granted. If the project must be cancelled for any reason, all monies already sent to the applicant must be returned to the NABCP. WHERE DO I SEND MY APPLICATION? Andy Moore, Conservation Fund Coordinator North American Bat Conservation Partnership Bat Conservation International <amoore@batcon.org> Post Office Box 162603 Austin, TX 78716-2603 (512) 327-9721 telephone HOW CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION? Contact the Conservation Fund Coordinator (above) or go to http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite. Funding is also available for student research on conservation relevant issues through BCI's Student Scholarship Program. Andy Moore also coordinates this program so contact him for details at email address and telephone number above. North American Bat Conservation Partnership .. ~~~ 2005 APPLICATION FOR PROJECT FUNDING ` licant Information Name of Principle Investigator (one person only): Title or Job Description: Organization: Address: Phone #: FAX #: E-mail: Professional Reference and Phone #: ect tntormation General category of project (circle one): Conservation Education Research Title of project (max. 8 words): Location of project (state): Expected beginning and end dates of project: Results to be published? (circle one): Yes No Where? Amount requested from BCI: Amount obtained from other sources: Total Project Budget (must equal above two amounts): Previous BCI Grants: Abstract (max. 200 words) Detailed project narrative and itemized budget MUST be attached! I certify that I am the primary author of the proposal, and that it was researched and developed primarily by me. I certify that the information contained in this application and the attached proposal and budget are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I agree to accept responsibility for the scientific conduct of this project and to provide the required mid-term progress and final reports if an award is made as a result of this application. Signature: Date: Name (printed or typed): NABCP- Applying for a Grant North American E~raf ~.'t~r~$;or~rc.~tic~r~ ~~ar~trler ~>~~i~;~ ~ ~''' wrrwwrrww~wwwwwwwwwww^wrrwwrwwwwwwwrww w Funding Application The Conservation Fund is available to support projects that most effectively help North American bats. Annual applications for assistance must be submitted prior to November 15th. All applicants must fully complete and submit a Conservation Fund Application Form to the Conservation Fund Coordinator at Bat Conservation International. To assist with the review process and conserve paper, only Electronic applications (either pdf or Word) will be accepted. The Conservation Fund Coordinator ensures that proposals are complete and appropriate to the goals of the North American. Bat Conservation Strategic Plan. before forwarding them for review by at least three regional or national experts whose knowledge is most relevant to the proposed projects. Application and Instructions To apply, please download this Microsoft Word file Grant Instructions and Application. *Please print and use this Acrobat pdf file, BCI's Photographic Guidelines. It contains all the information necessary on submitting appropriate photographs for your grant reporting. For more information For questions regarding the NABCP Conservation Fund grants, contact: Andy Moore, Conservation Program Administrator North American Bat Conservation Partnership Bat Conservation International Post Office Box 162603 Austin, Texas 78716-2603 (512) 327-9721 phone (512) 327-9724 fax amoore@batcon,org Additional funding is available for student research on conservation- relevant issues. For details on Bat Conservation International's Student Scholarship Program, contact: Andy_Moore. http://www.batcon. org/nabcp/newsite/grants.html Page 1 of 2 12/30/2004 Marta Aan~rkan Bast CaYis~:rsealgc~a Pir'r+e*esh~p NABCP- SHELL 'North American ~c~i ~r~xs~t~ver#i©r~ ~car~'ner-;>1-ri~:~ ~ ~'"' rrrr~r^rrrrrrrrrr•rrrrrsrrrrrrrrrrrrrr r NABCP Strategic Plan Resource Issues, Goals, and Priority Actions Organization Management direction is described under three broad categories:1) Research and Monitoring 2) Education, and 3) Management. A parallel format is followed for each category, with an introductory issues statement followed by goal statements, a discussion of problems associated with each goal, and a list of priority actions to be addressed under each goal. Scope All management direction is intended to apply to some extent for the entire continent. Accordingly, qualifiers such as "North American bats" seldom appear in the text. Significant regional issues that are multi- state or multi-national in scope will be added following appropriate review and discussion among members of the North American Bat Conservation Partnership Executive Committee. Priority Setting It is not intended that priorities be ranked between the goals or categories outlined in the North American Plan. For example, priorities will not be set that elevate management goals over research and monitoring or education goals. They are considered to be equally important in providing guidance for bat conservation activities at state and local levels. It is at these levels that managers must1) assess which North American goals and actions apply within their areas of authority and 2) set priorities for project-level actions that are most urgent. Relationship of this Plan to Other Plans This plan is intended to provide the framework and direction for other local, state, and federal bat conservation and management plans. To the extent that these plans tier directly to the North American Plan, communication and reporting will be greatly simplified and facilitated. Regional Working groups can play an essential role by facilitating communication and coordination between the North American Plan and federal, state, and private agencies and other collaborators in their regions. I. Research Page 1 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP- SHELL Issues Insufficient knowledge of factors influencing North American bat populations and insufficient data on population status and trends, habitat requirements, and ecosystem roles greatly impede focused and comprehensive recommendations for management. Land management practices are being implemented throughout the continent, with little or no documentation of their effectiveness in mitigating damage or enhancing habitats for bats. In an effort to fill these knowledge gaps biologists are now using a wide range of new technologies to investigate species distributions, population trends, and habitat requirements. To ensure the accuracy and utility of this new information, there is an urgent need to verify and standardize technologies and techniques. Goal 1: Identify key resources. Conservation success requires that key habitat resources be identified and protected, as has been accomplished for the recovering endangered gray myotis. Conservation targets include roosts, drinking and foraging habitats, and flyways. Identifying and focusing on these critical resources first can dramatically improve efficiency and the odds of success for the recovery of bat populations. Reliable and standardized survey and monitoring techniques are needed to facilitate these efforts. Priority Actions 1. Survey caves, mines, and other potential locations of key roosts to determine past and present significance to bats, examining each for both evidence and suitability of use. Inventory such locations and initiate protection and long-term status trend monitoring. In some cases, recently decommissioned mines can be recognized as having ideal habitat potential even though they have not previously supported bats. 2. Identify key drinking and foraging habitats. 3. Identify flyways used nightly and during migration. 4. Prepare and share guidelines for recognizing currently unoccupied, but potentially key bat roost resources. Goal 2: Establish baseline populations and trends. Bat population structure, dynamics, and trends seldom have been monitored over time, making status determination difficult for prioritizing conservation needs and evaluating progress. Key roosts and habitats, many of which might not even be discovered yet, need to be effectively prioritized for conservation and management based on knowledge of bat numbers, species composition, status trends, and threats. Only recently, scientists and conservationists have discovered Page 2 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP- SHELL several of North America's most important cave and mine roosts that provide or have provided habitat for hundreds of thousands to millions of bats over state, provincial, and international borders. These relatively recent discoveries highlight the urgency of cave and mine surveys and inventories. In some cases, populations were so long ago extirpated by human disturbance that their potential significance is no longer recognized. As a consequence, they are ignored in conservation and management planning, while remnant populations that are barely surviving in refuges of last resort are protected. Priority Actions 1. Establish and monitor bat numbers and species composition using reliable, reproducible techniques. 2. Develop and evaluate new population-monitoring techniques. 3. Identify potential threats and monitor impacts to populations. 4. Identify and define population units relevant for conservation planning and research. 5. Conduct research to improve the accuracy and ease of species identification. Goal 3: Identify species requirements and limiting factors. Bats rank among North America's least understood wildlife. This is due in part to the difficulty and high cost of studying these small, nocturnal, highly mobile mammals. Consequently, information commonly available for other species, such as distribution, migratory patterns, and roosting and foraging habitat requirements, is lacking for most bats. Priority Actions 1. Identify species requirements for nursery and hibernation roosts. Priority should be given to species identified as the most vulnerable and threatened. 2. Conduct research to better understand how, when, and why bats use, vacate and switch roosts. 3. Identify species requirements for foraging habitat and water sources. 4. Compare requirements in contrasting areas to better understand the geographically varying needs of species with wide distributions. 5. Determine requirements for transitory roosts and identify habitats used for foraging during migration. 6. Estimate carrying capacities of habitats, based on current and restorable habitat conditions. 7. Identify methods for measuring habitat use. Goal 4: Describe, quantify, and monitor the effects of current http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html Page 3 of 12 12/30/2004 NABCP-SHELL land-management practices and other human disturbances on bats. Land management practices have been implemented for more than a century on both public and private lands, with little or no understanding of their effects on bats. Determining critical habitat requirements and understanding species biology will enable land and wildlife managers to develop management plans that protect bat populations and habitats. Incorporation of bat needs into land management and other wildlife plans is only a beginning. If plans are not implemented as written or the prescriptions and mitigation measures do not have the desired effects or outcomes for bats, conservation objectives will not be met. Artificial watering sites and roosting structures for bats are proving successful in mitigating habitat destruction; however, monitoring the success of varied designs and locations is necessary. Priority Actions 1. Describe and quantify the anthropogenic impacts on bats resulting from land management practices. Conduct implementation and effectiveness monitoring of soil and watershed, range, timber, mining, and other ground-distributing actions with potential impacts on bats, and provide feedback to land managers. Develop standards and guidelines to mitigate or ameliorate impacts. 2. Determine the effects on bats of environmental contaminants, including unregulated dumping, the use of pesticides and herbicides, cyanide-leaching ponds, and other water quality issues. For pesticides, identify the kinds of chemicals used and timing of application. Assess behavioral and physiological impacts to bat individuals and populations resulting from pollutants. 3. Evaluate the effectiveness of land management actions where the impacts on bats have been considered. Examples include protection of key roosts in caves and mines, forest management practices, watering structures, and artificially created habitats. 4. Quantify the impact of vampire bat control on other bat populations. Evaluate current vampire bat control techniques used by rural people. Goal 5: Quantify the economic and social impacts of North American bats. An increased public appreciation of bats can be garnered by better documenting and quantifying their economic and ecological values. Risk analysis is also needed to put in perspective the highly publicized, though minor, disease threats associated with. Priority Actions 1. Conduct research to quantify the economic values of bats, with special emphasis on consumption of crop, garden, and forest Page 4 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP-SHELL pests, as well as on eco-tourism associated with bat-watching sites. 2. Conduct research to document the role of bats in plant pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient dynamics of ecosystems. 3. Document verified bat rabies risks and prevention costs relative to other diseases. Goal 6: Develop standards and protocols tot) enhance research quality, and 2) minimize harm to bats during the course of research. Provide guidance for researchers (as well as relevant land- management agencies allocating research permits) that discourage harmful research techniques. Provide guidance for researchers and permitting agencies to prevent the disturbance of bats during critical life-history stages. Priority Actions 1. Evaluate technologies to monitor bat species and numbers entering and exiting roosts. Examples include ultrasonic detection, photography, and thermal-infrared imagery. 2. Test and compare the reliability of bat survey, census and identification techniques. Encourage the continued refinement of echolocation detection technology. 3. Establish protocols for the use of bands and encourage maximization of recovery information to advance scientific discovery. 4. Establish bat researcher-training programs to increase field competency and minimize harm to bats. Goal 7: Refine spatial and temporal distribution maps, and prepare one set of shared maps for all North American bat species. It is vitally important for biologists and land managers to know which species occur in their areas. Environmental impact assessment and planning are impossible without this information. Geographic species boundaries alone are not enough. Managers need also to understand how species distribution changes with seasons, habitats, and elevation. Finally, they must be informed of acceptable techniques for conducting field inventories and making accurate species identifications. Priority Actions 1. Refine and standardize methods and protocols for determining and plotting species distributions continent-wide. 2. Collect data on seasonal distribution changes according to altitude, Page 5 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP-SHELL habitat, and geography during field inventories. 3. Standardize data collection and reporting methods. Goal 8: Encourage international cooperation and incorporate bats that cross borders into broader wildlife programs such as research, inventory, monitoring, and habitat assessments. Significant human resources can be saved by developing and implementing shared inventory and monitoring programs across international boundaries. Further, numerous existing wildlife inventories, particularly for birds and other mammals, can easily be modified and expanded to include bats. Opening lines of communication with biologists conducting other inventory and monitoring programs is an important first step toward accomplishing this goal. Priority Actions 1. Establish a tri-national inventory and monitoring team to standardize methods and procedures, and identify shared programs. 2. Identify and encourage collaboration with other organizations that have responsibility for natural resource inventory and monitoring. Establish roles and responsibilities for data collection and sharing where there are overlapping priorities and information needs. II. Education Issues Throughout North America, sensational and inaccurate presentation of public health issues involving bats has created an exaggerated fear of these ecologically important species. The resulting unwarranted public perception presents an especially serious threat to bat survival. Although general public awareness of the values of bats has increased over the past two decades, ignorance remains an important impediment to bat conservation. Medical professionals, government agencies, private industry, and educators often lack materials necessary to educate the public about how to safely share their communities with bats. Goal 1: Develop and distribute educational materials to reach especially important audiences. Development of educational materials and programs that emphasize the roles of bats in maintaining the balance of nature and human economies, the conservation and management needs of bats, and the Page 6 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP-SHELL resolution of public health or nuisance concerns are high priorities. These actions offer opportunities for broad collaboration among partners and can be jointly developed at reduced costs. Priority Actions 1. Encourage wildlife managers, professional caving groups, animal control and public health officials, and bat rehabilitators to help by developing and distributing specialized materials, such as technical field manuals, handbooks, and brochures. 2. Develop educational programs for animal control and public health officials and where possible, producing them in collaboration with leading veterinarian and public health organizations. 3. Develop audiovisual programs and educational materials to assist teachers and environmental educators to incorporate bats into standard curricula. 4. Develop and lead education workshops for teachers, biologists, and other specialized groups. 5. Develop and implement education and conservation programs abouts bats living in urban environments. 6. Prepare and implement monitoring plans to evaluate educational program effectiveness. Goal 2: Integrate bat education materials into other appropriate programs and materials. Existing wildlife educational materials that have been demonstrated to be effective and widely used can be simply and cost-effectively modified to include bats, saving significant human and financial resources. Priority Actions 1. Encourage inclusion of bat educational curricula, such as Discover Bats!, into the most widely known environmental education programs, for example Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, Backyard Habitats, and others. 2. Identify and contact textbook publishing companies to incorporate bats in biology and environmental science, math, English and Spanish lessons currently being developed. 3.Provide teacher instructions about how and where bats can be incorporated into existing textbook lessons. Goal 3: Foster collaboration with individuals, organizations, and agencies that can help promote bat conservation. Bat conservation and research communities are small and will never have sufficient resources to address the vast extent of current educational needs. Certain specialized groups with overlapping Page 7 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP- SHELL interests can be extremely helpful in extending bat conservation programs. Priority Actions 1. Promote collaborative educational programs between bat researchers, the conservation community, and local public-service agencies, such as power and water companies, county extension agents, and departments of transportation. 2. Develop and implement public participation programs, and provide educational materials to empower citizens to assist with outreach and education efforts, such as bat walks, lectures, school presentations, and other volunteer activities. 3. Strengthen ties with public health officers, bat rehabilitators, and timber, agricultural, and cattle organizations to empower them to lead bat education initiatives for their constituencies. Goal 4: Focus educational efforts on the most important issues and locations for bat conservation. Initiatives such as the Program for the Conservation of Migratory Bats (PCMM) have clearly demonstrated that focusing efforts on communities near the most important bat roosts is an effective way to establish long-term protection. When students learne about the value of their neighborhood bats, they then educate their families and communities about bat conservation. This builds community pride in their special resource, ultimately leading to lasting stewardship. Rapid conservation progress can also be achieved by focusing educational efforts on social, environmental, and management issues that have the greatest potential for negative impacts on bats. Priority Actions 1. Target bat education programs in communities near important bat roosts or other key habitats. 2. In regions where vampire control is an issue, produce educational programs that help people discriminate between the common vampire and other beneficial bats in Mexico, especially free-tailed and long-nosed bats. Goal 5: Initiate broad, continent-wide education campaigns, and establish linkages to exchange information and foster international collaboration. Broad educational programs can change attitudes and behaviors of whole generations of Americans. The 5,000-square-foot English- and Spanish-language exhibit, Masters of the Nighf, has toured major U.S., Canadian, and Mexican cities for five years, providing millions with their first-ever glimpse into the world of bats. Establishment of formal and informal networks to exchange technology, information, Page 8 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP- SHELL and resources save time and money and accelerate progress. Priority Actions 1. Increase international coordination between academic institutions to conduct research and transfer expertise and technology. 2. Develop and implement a tri-national communication plan to raise human awareness of the importance and needs of bats. 3. Translate educational materials, such as field handbooks and school curricula, into English, French, and Spanish, and distribute in appropriate communities in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. 4. Produce and share a tri-national database of people and organizations with bat conservation expertise. 5. Where feasible, make special efforts to communicate scientific research to the public. III. Management Issues More than half the North American bat species rely on caves or mines as essential roosts. Tens of millions of bats have been extirpated from such roosts by human actions. At least 20 caves that formerly sheltered hundreds of thousands to millions of bats are currently unused due to human disturbance or adverse alteration. Many North American species are also heavily dependent upon old-growth forests, but they traditionally have not been considered in forest management planning, and this constitutes a major threat to their survival. At least three species of bats use nectar corridors to migrate between Mexico and the United States. Keeping a continuous nectar corridor not only will support the migration of nectar-feeding bats, but also a large number of other nectar-feeding animals. Also, numerous cliff-face crevices, ideally located adjacent to riparian habitat used by bats, have been lost during road construction. As growing numbers of bats have been forced to abandon traditional roosts in caves and have lost tree cavities, snags, and cliff-face crevices, they have (when possible) moved into manmade structures, such as mines, dams, buildings, and bridges. Many of these structures are now being razed or replaced with modern structures that do not meet bat needs. Goal 1: Develop management standards and guidelines for bats, including them in existing management plans for other wildlife and associated habitat. Bats rank among the least-studied animals. Accordingly, management plans and projects have been developed and implemented for more Page 9 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP- SHELL than a century with little or no thought to their needs. With dozens of bat species now either federally listed as endangered or considered sensitive by federal provincial or state governments, it is imperative that bats be considered in environmental impact assessments and in wildlife management plans at all levels. Priority Actions 1. Develop management standards, guidelines, and habitat goals for bats and ensure that they are incorporated into federal, provincial, and state land management and wildlife conservation plans. 2. Standardize database information schemes to ensure compatibility and facilitate sharing between organizations and agencies. 3. Standardize permits, qualifications, and protocols for bat research and conservation activities. Goal 2: Identify, protect, and enhance key roosting, feeding, and drinking resources for bats. Reestablish bat populations to the extent necessary. Roosts and associated foraging and drinking habitat are critical resources for all bats. Roosts sheltering thousands or millions of bats in caves or mines are the most often noticed and can be extremely important to a large proportion of a species' population. Nevertheless, other natural or artificial roosts, such as tree cavities, snags, cliff-face crevices, and buildings are also of vital importance to species that use them. Roosts that include a large proportion of a region's bats, exceptional species diversity, or the largest remaining groups of species that are endangered or in rapid decline are a high priority for protection. Habitats adjacent to key roosts also warrant priority consideration. Where traditional roosts or key habitat elements (such as drinking sites) have been lost, the provision of artificial roosts and other habitat enhancement techniques may be necessary. Priority Actions 1. Identify all important natural and artificial roosts and prioritize for protection the sites that contain the largest or most diverse populations and the most threatened or endangered species. Cave and mine roosts can be categorized according tot) total numbers of bats accommodated (either pastor present), 2) number of species sheltered, 3) apparent value of the site in meeting bat needs, 4) long-term safety of the site, if protected, 5) known threats if not protected, and 6) status of the species involved. One early goal is to protect 90 percent of sites known to shelter hibernation populations or nursery colonies that rank within the Iargest10 percent known for each of an area's most vulnerable species. 2. Establish artificial roosts in areas where the loss of natural roosts now limits population recovery. Incorporate artificial roosts, where feasible, in new construction projects, and evaluate the usefulness Page 10 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP-SHELL of artificial bark as roosting habitat in forested areas where snag habitat is lacking. 3. Where restoration and protection are feasible, prioritize key habitat sites over those where remnant populations may simply have taken refuge as a last resort, even when the original sites are currently abandoned. 4. In grid areas, ensure maintenance or establishment of adequate- sized, open-water drinking sites for bats. 5. Identify, protect, restore, maintain, and monitor key flight and migratory corridors. 6. Develop and implement conservation and education programs for bats living in urban environments. 7. Focus protection efforts on areas where the oldest forests and the best vegetation, roost, and water-diversity conditions exist in close proximity. Goal 3: Incorporate bat conservation language into existing statutes for wildlife protection. Program support and funding for bird conservation dramatically exceeds resources allocated, per species, to bat conservation. This is due, at least in part, to almost100 years of legislative support and tri- governmental collaboration. Currently in the United States, only the Federal Endangered Species Act, and to a limited degree, the National Environmental Policy Act, and National Forest Management Act mandate bat conservation considerations be included in environmental impact assessment and land- management planning. Bats provide the same ecosystem services, are affected by the same environmental practices, use the same habitats as birds, and thus deserve equal consideration. Priority Actions 1. Work with legislators and governments to establish domestic policies and international treaties and agreements for bats, with special emphasis on migratory species. Goal 4: Integrate strategic plans for bats into other existing plans and initiatives. Existing initiatives, such as Partners in Flight, such as the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, can become excellent vehicles to advance bat conservation. Bat conservation issues and needs overlap significantly with issues and needs being addressed for other wildlife. The same habitats, authorities, and organizations are involved, and significant savings can be realized by integrating conservation plans. Page 11 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP-SHELL Priority Acfions 1. Identify and act on opportunities to collaborate with other wildlife interest groups in the North American Bat Conservation Partnership. 2. Identify other international wildlife planning efforts such as the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, and investigate ways to collaborate on overlapping and complementary goals. Page 12 of 12 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/strategy.html 12/30/2004 NABCP- Funded Projects Noah Am+~rican ~3c~t ~''c~t~ ~ervc~#it:~r~ {~~rar~~r~~r=;~~r~a wwrwwwwww^wwwwwwrwwrwww•wwwwwwwwwwwwww w~ Gating Old Man Cave April 1998 Humboldt National Forest, Nevada Since the 1960's, Old Man Cave, in Nevada's North Snake Mountain Range, has been home to nearly 100 Townsend's Big-Eared bats. In 1994, reports of the bats population dropping urged caver's to agree to a voluntary cave closure during the bats' maternity season. Biologists became concerned about the maternity colony, when, in 1997, only ten bats were observed. In 1998, with support from an NABCP grant, The Forest Service and the Nevada Division of Wildlife successfully gated the cave entrance. Photo: Courtesy of Humboldt National Forest Spence Cave Gating Project Spring 1999 Spence Cave Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. Once the home of the largest colony of Townsend's big-eared bats in Wyoming, Spence Cave had been badly damaged by careless visitors. The Construction of a bat- friendly gate in the entrance was one of 19 projects funded by BCI through the NABCP's 1999 granting program. Because of the cave's remote location, a helicopter had to transport the steel and other materials necessary for the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. to build the gate. Photo by Bob Luce Page 1 of 3 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/funded.html 12/30/2004 Project Highlights NABCP- Funded Projects Blueridge Mine Bunkhouse Bat Roost 1998 Ochoco National Forest Anne Davidson After pellets of guano were found in an abandoned bunkhouse in the Ochoco National Forest, researchers and Townsend's Big-eared Anne Davidson earned a NABCP grant that helped conservationists secure the new bat roost and build additional habitat. Here, Mark Perkins explains to volunteers how bats are an important part of a healthy ecosystem. Northern Arizona Bat Roost Inventory 1998 BLM- Mt. Trumbell Restoration Project Mike Herder A NABCP grant has helped to inventory 329 bats of 13 different species. Two of the sensitive species include the western small-footed myotis and the yuma myotis. The inventory and monitoring study will help protect roost sites while forest restoration efforts are completed. Pictured to the left are two of Mike Herder's assistants using radio telemetry to inventory bat populations and roosting sites prior to the BLM's efforts to restore a Ponderosa Pine forest in northern Arizona. `~'~"~!` "'~ ~ ~ ' Idaho Panhandle Bats ,. ~ ~ Page 2 of 3 http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/funded.html 12/30/2004 concluded it was a roost for Big brown bats. NABCP- Funded Projects Page 3 of 3 1998 Panhandle National Forests Jenny Taylor In northern Idaho, the U.S. Forest Service's, Jenny Taylor, is identifying the distribution and habitat use of bats in a mining superfund site, and outside of the contaminated area. The NABCP is supporting her efforts to inventory bats and protect known colonies that reside in the abandoned mine shafts. http://www.batcon.org/nabcp/newsite/funded.html 12/30/2004 To receive notification about future RFPs, please fill out the following information sheet and send it to the address below. C^ ~ ~ ~~I`- 1~~~1-eR- S P~ ~ ~S Name ~~-e.ut,J ~ ; c h ~-~-~ Affiliation I ~~.~ ~~ S~ y3~ Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City State Zip Code X0'1- 3~ ' 596 ~~~ 3Z~ ~~9,- Telephone Number Fax Number Email Address Please check off the following that apply: I would like to receive notification of the following types of RFPs: • Plants • Reptiles/Amphibians O Others • Invertebrates • Birds O O Fishes • Mammals O Send to: RFP Vendor List Contracted Projects and Technical Publications Section Bureau of Wildlife Diversity Conservation Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 620 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600