Bat Acoustic Data from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 2019

To inform future management actions, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA) conducted a suite of bat monitoring efforts from April 15–September 24, 2019. We used the USGS Early Emergence white-nose syndrome (WNS) monitoring protocol to aid nation-wide efforts to track the spread of the disease. We did not observe any symptoms of WNS on bats captured during Early Emergence, nor did genetic analysis detect traces of the causal agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, on any bats sampled. We captured the spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) for the first time in GLCA history, and successfully located the roosts of one California myotis (Myotis californicus) and one canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), both located in rock crevices. Additionally, we piloted a radio-telemetry study to characterize the hibernacula of species effected by white-nose syndrome. We used the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat; Loeb et al. 2015) protocol to assess bat species distribution throughout GLCA, and we supplemented this assessment with occupancy data obtained through mist-netting. NABat monitoring efforts resulted in 44,432 recorded calls (stationary point acoustic surveys = 44,380 recorded calls, mobile acoustic transect surveys = 52 recorded calls) representing 17 bat species. We modified the NABat protocol to monitor bats along the Colorado and San Juan Rivers as part of a citizen science-based program. We engaged 197 youth in our citizen science based acoustic bat monitoring program which resulted in 33,816 recorded calls. On 07/20/19, GLCA and Glen Canyon Conservancy (GCC) hosted the 4th Annual Glen Canyon Bat Festival and welcomed 200+ visitors to the event. Jason Corbett (Bat Conservation International Subterranean Program Director) presented on the impact of wind energy development on Southwestern United States bat species. Tania Parra (Latino Heritage Internship Program intern) shared how citizen scientists are contributing to bat conservation efforts in GLCA. Educational booths and games consisted of threats (i.e. WNS, wind power development, caving decontamination protocols), bat house construction, gardening for bats, effects of artificial lighting on bats, bat monitoring equipment, and arts and crafts for kids. Attendees enjoyed learning how to use Echo Meter Touch monitoring devices on two bat listening walks. We updated the GLCA Bats web page (https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/nature/bats.htm) and developed a Adopt-a-Bat rack card to promote the GCC Adopt-a-Bat program (http://canyonconservancy.org/donation-products/adopt-a-bat) which promotes GLCA bat conservation efforts. Continued monitoring will allow for early detection of Pd and WNS, and continued study of roost usage will allow for informed management of critical habitat.

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