THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS- Conduct Baseline Bat Survey in Effigy Mounds National Monument-THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

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THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS- Conduct Baseline Bat Survey in Effigy Mounds National Monument-THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS: The immediate goals of this project are 1) to assess the bat community at Effigy Mounds National Monument for evidence of exposure to Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), 2) to determine whether Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis), a Federally Endangered species, occur within Effigy Mounds National Monument, 3) to document and describe the temporal diversity of the bat assemblage that occurs within Effigy Mounds National Monument, 4) identify habitats/areas within the park important for providing summer maternal roosting sites and 5) to create a baseline against which any future bat surveys in eastern Iowa may be compared. The project includes mist-net and acoustic surveys. Individual bats caught in mist-nets will be identified to species; sex, weight, body condition, and other vital information will be collected before being released. Individuals will also be swabbed to test for the presence of P. destructans. The result will be an inventory of species known to be utilizing habitat present within the monument. Condition assessments and swab analysis may give clues to presence/prevalence/absence of Whitenose syndrome in the area.

Dr. Gerald Zuercher, Professor of Vertebrate Ecology and Department Chair for the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences at the University of Dubuque, was chosen for his knowledge of and experience with bats and the study techniques outlined above. Other members of the University’s faculty have expertise in other biological disciplines, such as plant ecology and genetics, which creates a highly specialized team to analyze data and samples and contribute to the interpretation of results. Additionally, the University of Dubuque is located within an hour and a half drive of the park, allowing for responsiveness to changes in plans due to inclement weather or other circumstances, scheduling rather impromptu meetings or site visits as necessary, and the convenient transfer of data.

Natural Resource staff at Effigy Mounds National Monument will support the study through substantial involvement. This can include, but is not limited to, providing access and transportation to various areas of the park, assistance with mist net surveys, as well as setting up, monitoring, retrieving data from, and moving passive ultrasonic acoustic recording equipment.