News

  1. White-Nosed Syndrome - A Deadly Disease of Bats - OSU Extension Releases New Fact Sheet

    Sep 1, 2012

    White-nose syndrome (WNS) has caused unprecedented mortality in hibernating bats in eastern North America. This previously unknown disease has spread rapidly since its discovery in New York in 2007, and poses a threat to hibernating bats throughout the continent. In 2010, DNA indicative of the fungus Geomyces destructans, the pathogen demonstrated to cause WNS, was detected on bats as far west as Missouri and Oklahoma. The disease, WNS, and/or the fungus, G. destructans, has now been detected on bats at over 200 hibernacula in 19 states and 4 Canadian provinces. An assessment of wintering populations at 42 hibernacula across 5 northeastern states revealed a total loss of 88% of all bats in sites that have been affected for more than 2 years, with colony losses at some sites exceeding 99%. While our understanding of this disease has improved considerably, there are many questions that remain to be answered. The nature of remnant bat populations in the affected area has not yet been determined, and the potential for resistance within affected species has not been demonstrated. We also do not know the actual distribution of G. destructans on the landscape and lack the tools to manage the fungus once it becomes established. A coordinated effort is required to manage WNS and conserve North American bats, and there are over 100 state and federal agencies, tribes, universities, institutions, organizations, and private entities involved with the organized response. The National Plan for Assisting States, Federal Agencies and Tribes in Managing White-Nose Syndrome in Bats, finalized in May 2011, provides the framework for a coordinated national response. OSU Extension White Nose Syndrome Fact Sheet - http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/pdf/W_22_12.pdf ODNR Video White Nose Syndrome in Bats - http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?tabid=24150 Other sources of WNS information: http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/ http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/ White-Nose Syndrome in Bats: Current Status of Knowledge and Management of a Novel Wildlife Disease — A special presentation by Ann Froschauer, National WNS Communications Leader, US Fish & Wildlife Service, was held at the Ohio State University on Thursday, March 29, 2012. http://senr.osu.edu/images/Froschauer_OSU_2012.pdf

  2. The Birds of Ohio - Armchair Ornithologist - Wearing Yellow

    Jun 5, 2012

  3. Forest Health Summary for Ohio

    Jan 9, 2012

    http://fhm.fs.fed.us/fhh/fhh_12/OH_FHH_2012.pdf

    This summary is primarily generated from information provided by State Forest Health Programs within the Northeast Region Forest Health Highlights

    View all 50 states at (http://fhm.fs.fed.us/fhh/fhmusamap.shtml) 

     

  4. Visit The Lake Erie Birding Trail

    Dec 21, 2011

    Welcome to the Lake Erie Birding Trail. Covering the entire 312 miles of Ohio shoreline, from Conneaut to Toledo, the trail includes the lake’s greatest birding locales. The Lake Erie shore and its immediate environs offer some of the best birding in the Great Lakes region.

Pages