Tag Archive for: wildlife

Disease threatens BC’s Bats – Need your help

Sleeping bat – a healthy Myotis bat found hibernating in a woodpile – reporting sleeping bats helps researchers learn what is normal. Photo: C Buick

OKANAGAN AREA, BC – B.C.’s bats, including the well-known Little Brown Bat, are threatened by a fungal disease headed towards the province from Alberta and Washington State. The Okanagan Community Bat Program, in collaboration with the Province of BC, is asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). Residents are urged to report any bat activity observed in winter and any sick or dead bats found before May 31st.

What is White Nose Syndrome?

White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that is harmless to humans and pets, but has devastated North American bat populations. The fungus attacks bats while they are hibernating, growing on their faces to give an appearance of a white nose. Bats often wake to clean the fungus from their skin. This uses valuable energy, and finally the bats die from starvation. Across North America, millions of bats have been killed, and two BC species are now listed as Endangered due to the disease.

First detected in New York State in 2006, the disease continues to spread, with detections on the west coast close to Seattle and in south-central Alberta. Biologists say the arrival of WNS in BC is imminent. Increasing the number of reports from the public is the best chance to understand how WNS might spread and affect local bat populations. Though there is not yet a proven cure for WNS, several promising treatment options are being developed, and it may be possible to mitigate the effects of this wildlife health crisis.

White-nose syndrome occurrence map – by year (2023). Downloaded 2023-02-07. Available at https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/where-is-wns

What you can do

If you find a dead bat or have sightings of winter bat activity, please report to the B.C. Community Bat Program online at www.bcbats.ca , via email at [email protected] or by calling 1-855-922-2287 ext.13.  All live bats should be left alone — keep your distance, snap a photo and report it to the B.C. Community Bat Program. If you must move a bat, visit www.bcbats.ca for advice and never touch a bat with your bare hands. Please note that if you or your pet has been in direct contact with the bat you will need further information regarding the risk of rabies to you and your pet.  Please contact the BC Community Bat Program for more information.

Bats – OUR Buddies

The bats of BC are key predators of many night-flying insects.  They are essential parts of BC’s ecosystems and provide billions of dollars of economic benefit by helping control agricultural, forest, and urban pests.   In partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment, the BC Community Bat Program provides information and promotes local stewardship and citizen science.  

Okanagan Resources

The BC Community Bat Program Okanagan Region extends its gratitude to partners involved in bat conservation including the Bat Education and Environmental Protection Society (Peachland), Environmental Education Centre Okanagan (Kelowna), Allan Brooks Nature Centre (Vernon), Osoyoos Desert Society (Osoyoos), BC Parks (Penticton), Grist Mill (Keremeos), The Nature Trust (Twin Lakes), Granby Wilderness Society (Grand Forks) and several Okanagan naturalist and outdoor clubs The program runs thanks to funding from  the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Forest Enhancement Society of BC, and the Habitat Stewardship Program. You can find out more about the BC Community Bat Program and options for helping local bat populations at www.bcbats.ca[email protected], or 1-855-922-2287 ext.13.

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

Nature Talk – Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes with Pete Wise

Meet us in the grassland theatre for a short nature talk! Our ABNC interpreters will use some of our natural materials and props to teach you more about our local plants and animals and give you an up close look. A new theme every week! There is no need to pre-register, simply check-in at the Interpretive Centre upon arrival and find a seat on one of our benches, or bring your own lawn chair. Nature Talks are free, but a donation is appreciated.

***Please note, ABNC programming will be cancelled should the temperatures exceed 35C, for the safety of all patrons and staff.

Nature Talk – Kokanee Salmon

Meet us in the grassland theatre for a short nature talk! Our ABNC interpreters will use some of our natural materials and props to teach you more about our local plants and animals and give you an up close look. A new theme every week! There is no need to pre-register, simply check-in at the Interpretive Centre upon arrival and find a seat on one of our benches, or bring your own lawn chair. Nature Talks are free, but a donation is appreciated.

***Please note, ABNC programming will be cancelled should the temperatures exceed 35C, for the safety of all patrons and staff.

BC Wildlife Parks – “Conservation in Action”

BC Wildlife Park is returning to ABNC this August on Wednesday 10th! They will be bringing several at-risk species to ABNC including a painted turtle, rubber boa, and some at-risk raptor species. The audience will have the chance to meet the wildlife up close and ask questions!

We’ll start the evening at 6:00pm, so please arrive 10-15 minutes early in order to get checked in and find a seat on our benches. The event will run from 6-7pm and pre-registration for tickets is required!

The cost is $15 for adults, $6 for kids ages 4-17, free for kids 3 and under. (There is no need to register kids 3 and under).

Please feel free to bring blankets for the benches, or your own camp chairs!

***Reminder: This is an OUTDOOR event, please dress according to the weather.***

Opening Day!

Join us on opening day of the 2022 season; admission to the interpretive centre is by donation. Guided trail tours will take place between 10:00am and 2:00pm, at $5 per person (youth under 16 and members are free!). Come visit “Smile” the turtle and take in the 360° views overlooking Vernon. Bring a picnic lunch and don’t forget your camera! We are open from 9:00am – 3:30pm.

Tag Archive for: wildlife

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