Hoy Program: Bats of Wisconsin

Ecology, biology and conservation management of Wisconsin bats

Bats are often thought to be scary or creepy; but it is really the night insects who have the most to fear from bats. In fact, bats are one of the most unique, beneficial animals in the world. They provide vital ecological benefits, including consumption of insect pests, pollination of some of our favorite fruits, and seed dispersal. They are the only mammal that can truly fly, and their use of echolocation to navigate and hunt has inspired development of sonar and other navigational technology. From the tiny tri-colored bat that’s no bigger than your thumb to the large hoary bat with Mickey Mouse ears, all our bats play a crucial role in the ecosystems they call home. Today, bats face the threat of widespread habitat destruction and disease. They are found worldwide, with eight species of bat found right here in Wisconsin.

Join a presentation by Christa Trushinsky to get to know Wisconsin’s bats a little better. Christa has enjoyed more than 20 years of environmental education in both formal and informal settings and is currently the naturalist and Director of Education for River Bend Nature Center. She has worked with the UW-Oshkosh and the Belize Zoo doing primate research in Central America and with the Wisconsin DNR and the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Horicon Marsh performing wetland ecology research. After earning her master’s in Conservation Biology at UW-Madison, she has become involved with WAV (Water Action Volunteers), Snapshot Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Bat Program, and Wisconsin’s Bat Ambassadors program.