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Show . f p News Look whats up By Laurali Noteman- - Before North Kaibab Ranger District Forest Service biologists Garcia de la Cadena and Melissa Siders went to a Bat Management workshop sponsored by Bat Conservation International (BCI) in 1994, neither one knew much about bats. I learned about different kinds of bats and their habitats.How to do the mist net- ting and identify different spe- cies, "commented Siders. It was a very action packed week. Bats are an important part of our ecosystem. Most roosting species in North America are (insect eaters). A bat will consume up to 600 mos quitoes in a minute, as well as other harmful insects. Experts believe that if bat populations be naturally and inexpen- sively increased, the need for might be diminished, During the week, Garcia got they thought was a hair- brained idea to create artificial roosts. BCI founder and Merlin Tuttle was very supportive. By the time they left workshop Garcia and Siders had a pretty good idea of what .f i I SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 1M7 - Bat Bark - new home for bats inches long is used as a spacer at dwellings. A natural snag lasts excitedly. The pieces are mounted on the the bottom of the bark. The four to seven years, while Bat Bark may have a life span of 30-- south west side of the trees n spacer ensures a given distance 50 years. proximately twenty feet up. The between the actual bark and the That's whats neat, you dont Bat Bark is set into place and Bat Bark allowing easier entrance for the bats. have to have a snag to have the sealed across the top with Chlo-whe- n A of cone. Garcia. That's proper characteristics, you can piece Polyvinyl See Bats, Page 24 I came up with how we use Bat Bark, Garcia explained ride (PVC), about one and a half could make the mold. Bat Bark was bom. I put actual bark on a piece of cardboard, and put spacers on that, "explained Garcia. The spacers are designed to keep the bark away from the tree. Dan sent that to a friend who knew how to make molds. The first pieces ofbark were made of urethane foam, similar to what is used to insulate homes. It was thick and not at all flexible. This year they are trying fiberglass, Bat Bark is designed to vide these furry little mammals more roosting options. One tion of Bat Bark, two feet by eighteen inches, could be a habi-whtat for as many as 100 bats, k Starting Monday, December lA Thats a lot of natural pest trol! The crevice roosting and running until Christmas!! cies like to hang out under the loose bark on old snags.By ere-th- e ating a secure roosting place, the bats are offered long term they wanted to do. When Dan returned to the Kaibab, he came up with a way to create a bat nesting place. It gets pretty lonely out there. You have a lot of time to ap-Da- id us Ett's Ume m pro-cou- ld es at AtnmwQ Glbmsfomm SMe! con-bar- spe-direct- or Once again, everything at Denny's Wigwam is 20 Off Pottery Kachinas Jewelry Navsyo Rugs Wranglers rlr gfettsasid) ftsama have a nice selection of Black Hills Gold and 22 kt Gold Nugget Jewelry for that someone special in your life - All at 20 Off! We Mention this ad and with every S10 purchase, get a chance to Win one of these Prizes -- Natural Gold Nugget, Navajo rug, or Mill Creek wolf statue. One Drawing held each Saturday in December until Christmas. Need not be present to win. Q Shop at home this Christmas a silicone bead to helpkoap elements cxA ofthe bat Bark. PtKto by Laurali Notsmsn, BeccaSte(feasanj& 3 |