Information for Cavers

The caving community has a strong conservation ethic and has provided long-time support of bat conservation. We request that cavers observe all cave closures and advisories and refrain from caving in WNS-affected states and adjoining states at any time. We also recommend refraining from caving anywhere during bat hibernation to minimize disturbance to bats.

 

Wyoming Strategic Plan 2013

This document is intended to assist decision makers in coordinating a statewide response to this threat by documenting the need to establish systematic monitoring of bats throughout Wyoming, with recommendations on standardized survey methodology and establishing criteria for guiding management responses in Wyoming. Implementation of these guidelines will improve our ability to minimize the spread of G. destructans and WNS to bat populations in Wyoming.
AttachmentSize
Wyoming Strategic Response Plan 2013746.85 KB

Western Bat Working Group Fall 2012 Newsletter

Fall 2012 Newsletter from the Western Bat Working Group (WBWG)

Membership in the WBWG is open to anyone who is interested in participating in bat conservation. There are no membership fees or dues. Funding for bat conservation work accomplished by the WBWG is generated by State and Federal land management agencies, non-governmental organizations, and by donations from individual members.

Visit our web page http://wbwg.org to contact us, find information on bat conservation and upcoming meetings, become a member, link to state or provincial bat working groups, or download previous issues of this newsletter.

AttachmentSize
WBWG Fall 2012 Newsletter (PDF)2.49 MB

BatsLIVE Distance Learning Adventure: Live from Bracken Cave

Join us Tuesday, September 18 for an "electronic field trip" from Bracken Cave, which is the summer home of the world's largest bat colony. Watch the program live as millions of bats emerge from the cave!

To register and for more information, visit the BatsLIVE website.

BatsLIVE website
AttachmentSize
BatsLIVE! Bracken flyer (pdf)1.97 MB

Pennsylvania Game Commission seeks public comment on proposed protection for three bat species

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is considering actions to protect the current population of three cave-dwelling bat species in this Commonwealth. This consideration is prompted by the outbreak and spread of white nose syndrome (WNS) in this Commonwealth and throughout the eastern United States.

Forest Service Extends Closure of Abandoned Mines and Caves as New Studies Indicate 5.5 Million Bats Have Died (August 1, 2012)

DENVER, August 1, 2012—Regional Forester Daniel Jirón signed an extension to an emergency order today to restrict access to all caves and abandoned mines on National Forests and Grasslands in the Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service (Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas). The intent of the closure is to minimize the risk of the human spread of the fungus (Geomyces destructans) that causes White-nose Syndrome.

The Echolocator

Wisconsin Bat Program's December 2011 newsletter, The Echolocator
AttachmentSize
December 2011 Echolocator1.38 MB

Speleology is fancy science talk for Awesome Cave & Karst Exploration! The National Speleological Society Tells us More!

Welcome to the National Speleological Society (NSS)! With over 10,000 members and 250 grottos (caving clubs), the National Speleological Society does more than any other organization to study, explore, and conserve cave and karst resources; protect access to caves; encourage responsible management of caves and their unique environments; and promote responsible caving.
National Speleological Society

What is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommending in its cave advisory?

What is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommending in its cave advisory?

The Service’s cave advisory has four recommendations to limit the possible spread of white-nose syndrome by human activity:

  1. A voluntary moratorium on caving in states with confirmed WNS and all adjoining states; Nationally, in states not WNS-affected or adjoining states, use clothing and gear that has never been in caves in WNS-affected or adjoining states; State and federal conservation agencies should evaluate scientific activities for their potential to spread WNS; and Nationally, researchers should use clothing and gear that has never been in caves in a WNS-affected or adjoining state.
  2. This also applies to mines used by cavers.