Please Note: The Taking Flight with Citizen Science webinar series can be used as continuing education or service hours for OCVN certification.
Taking Flight with Community Science: Bats
Presenter: Sarah Stankavich, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife technician
Join Sarah as she leads us in learning about the life cycle ecology and conservation of Ohio bats including how ODNR is studying Ohio bats with acoustics and roost monitoring with community scientists and how you can participate.
Recording:
Taking Flight with Community Science: Bats
Resources:
Bat Habitat: https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/d/89460/files/2020/10/Bat-Habitat-Brochure-DOW-2020.pdf
Bat Conservation International: https://www.batcon.org/
Ohio Bat Working Group: https://u.osu.edu/obwg/
Bat Community Science Opportunities: https://u.osu.edu/obwg/get-involved/
Bat Conservation in Ohio: https://u.osu.edu/obwg/habitat/
Journey North
Monarchs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RqlPTBuWEw
Journey North is a citizen science migration tracking database. The Monarch butterfly is a focus, but they track sightings of other migratory wildlife as well. This database is timely to share as warm weather is on the horizon and the Monarch butterflies current position surely means Ohio will be getting our first in the next 7-10 days.
The Monarch butterfly is currently being considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for potential listing under the Endangered Species Act and the reasons for the butterfly's steep decline are complex. Monarchs complete an annual multi-generational journey from Mexico to the United States and Canada and back every year. Monarch butterfly reproduction is dependent upon milkweed as a host plant and connecting plant phenology (when plants grow and bloom) with migratory timing is an important component of understanding the species' dynamics. The Monarch butterfly is an iconic species, continentally recognized by nearly all citizens, and will take a whole group effort to conserve. https://monarchjointventure.org/