Post by L Roebuck on Jan 26, 2006 18:18:53 GMT -5
UCO receives grant for bat project
by Christina Purdom
January 26, 2006
UCO’s Selman Living Laboratory has been awarded a $17 thousand grant to conduct research to protect the 70,000 bats that hibernate in its caves.
The grant was awarded to only two of the 27 potential projects submitted to Florida Power and Light Energy, the nation's largest generator of wind power, in a pilot program to conserve North American bat species.
Dr. William Caire, professor of biology, will be in charge of the project. He said he hopes to incorporate the help of local high schools and UCO students and faculty.
“It will bring high school students and teachers out to learn hands-on science,” Caire said. “One of the things that appealed to [FPL Energy] was getting the high schools involved…it encourages students to stay in science.”
The conservation project will address the problem of human disturbances on the bats' hibernation, Caire said.
Caire has found evidence that unauthorized visitors have entered the cave during the bats’ hibernation. This can cause problems because repeated waking causes the bats to use their stored energy, which can be lethal.
In order to protect the bats, Caire plans to design, test and install a “bat-friendly” gate. This will allow bats to come and go freely, but keep visitors out during the winter season.
Caire said he plans to design and install a test gate in the fall of this year. This will be observed to ensure the bats respond positively to it and are able to freely enter and exit.
Other tests will be performed to ensure the bats’ environment is not changed.
“Gates erected in the cave can change the microclimate,” Caire said.
He said the temperature, humidity, and airflow must be recorded and maintained.
Wind farms, like those owned by FPL Energy, have been linked to the deaths of thousand of bats each year.
“In some parts of the country, bats are being killed by windmill blades,” Caire said. “Florida Power is concerned about it…we have to learn so we can make changes.”
The Selman Living Lab is a 334-acre piece of land near Freedom, Oklahoma that is owned by UCO and hosts the largest population of Cave Myotis in Oklahoma.
Caire said he has been taking students up there for 25 years to research the large bat cave. Seven years ago, the landowner, Betty Selman, allowed UCO to purchase the cave, and then donated the 334 acres around it.
Caire said since acquiring the land, various grants have enabled him to purchase buildings and materials like trailers and astronomy domes for storage and research.
Students from local colleges, high schools, even sorority houses have visited the site to study the small creatures in their natural environment.
www.thevistaonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/01/26/43d928833257c
by Christina Purdom
January 26, 2006
UCO’s Selman Living Laboratory has been awarded a $17 thousand grant to conduct research to protect the 70,000 bats that hibernate in its caves.
The grant was awarded to only two of the 27 potential projects submitted to Florida Power and Light Energy, the nation's largest generator of wind power, in a pilot program to conserve North American bat species.
Dr. William Caire, professor of biology, will be in charge of the project. He said he hopes to incorporate the help of local high schools and UCO students and faculty.
“It will bring high school students and teachers out to learn hands-on science,” Caire said. “One of the things that appealed to [FPL Energy] was getting the high schools involved…it encourages students to stay in science.”
The conservation project will address the problem of human disturbances on the bats' hibernation, Caire said.
Caire has found evidence that unauthorized visitors have entered the cave during the bats’ hibernation. This can cause problems because repeated waking causes the bats to use their stored energy, which can be lethal.
In order to protect the bats, Caire plans to design, test and install a “bat-friendly” gate. This will allow bats to come and go freely, but keep visitors out during the winter season.
Caire said he plans to design and install a test gate in the fall of this year. This will be observed to ensure the bats respond positively to it and are able to freely enter and exit.
Other tests will be performed to ensure the bats’ environment is not changed.
“Gates erected in the cave can change the microclimate,” Caire said.
He said the temperature, humidity, and airflow must be recorded and maintained.
Wind farms, like those owned by FPL Energy, have been linked to the deaths of thousand of bats each year.
“In some parts of the country, bats are being killed by windmill blades,” Caire said. “Florida Power is concerned about it…we have to learn so we can make changes.”
The Selman Living Lab is a 334-acre piece of land near Freedom, Oklahoma that is owned by UCO and hosts the largest population of Cave Myotis in Oklahoma.
Caire said he has been taking students up there for 25 years to research the large bat cave. Seven years ago, the landowner, Betty Selman, allowed UCO to purchase the cave, and then donated the 334 acres around it.
Caire said since acquiring the land, various grants have enabled him to purchase buildings and materials like trailers and astronomy domes for storage and research.
Students from local colleges, high schools, even sorority houses have visited the site to study the small creatures in their natural environment.
www.thevistaonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/01/26/43d928833257c