The document outlines a project to install bat boxes in Trexler Park to help local bat populations threatened by White Nose Syndrome. The project aims to install 5 cedar boxes 25-35 feet high in trees near water sources to provide roosting areas for Big Brown Bats and Little Brown Bats. These species are important for insect control but their populations have declined 90% in affected areas due to White Nose Syndrome, a disease that disturbs hibernation. The bat boxes will benefit bats and local ecology while providing educational opportunities about bats and their conservation.

1. Trexler Park Bat Box
Implementation Project
By
Rebecca Hernandez
Bradley Leitgeb

2. Project Overview and Goals
➢ Community project that seeks to
improve some aspect of the
Trexler Park
➢ Focus on bat populations
➢ To install several bat boxes
➢ Improve conservational,
educational, and aesthetic aspects
present
➢ To successfully design &
implement this project within the
time frame of a semester

3. Little Brown Bat and Big Brown Bat Species
Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus

4. Scientific Background
➢ Big Brown Bat,Eptesicus fuscus
➢ Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus
➢ These species of bat range throughout
temperate North America
➢ Echolocation insectivores
➢ Individual bats are known to ingest much
of their weight in various insects each night
➢ Both species require natural or man made
cavities where they can roost or hibernate
➢ Ex: Buildings, trees, caves, and bat boxes
➢ Both species’ populations across the
northeast have been affected by the spread
of a disease: White Nose Syndrome

5. The Problem: White Nose Syndrome
Photo: Al Hicks; New York Department of Environment

6. The Problem: White Nose Syndrome
➢ Pseudogymnoascus destructans
➢ 90% mortality among affected
bats
➢ Starvation due to disturbed
hibernation
➢ Spreads through direct contact
➢ Also spread on humans
➢ Much still unknown
Photo: Gudrun Wibbelt, et al

7. Distribution/Spread
http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map

8. Benefits of Bat Boxes
➢ Supports local bat populations
➢ Decline in insects=
➢ Agriculture, economy,
ecosystems, health, enjoyment of
park
➢ Fight against WNS
➢ Unaffected bat population growth
& regeneration
➢ Promotes species conservation
➢ Provides educational
opportunities

9. Implementation & Design
➢ 5 boxes
➢ Approx. 25 - 35 ft off
ground
➢ Cedar construction
➢ Animal-safe,
weatherproof coating
➢ $40 per box
➢ Free volunteer
installation

10. Maintenance
➢ Minimal
➢ No clean up, open
bottom
➢ Occasional
repainting/sealing every
few years
➢ Optional annual checks
for success of the boxes
and check for presences
of bat populations

11. Location Description
➢ Tall trees (Locust,
Walnut, Oak)
➢ Open areas
➢ Water source (food
source)
➢ No spacing or noise
concerns
➢ Visible in plain sight

12. Locations

13. Location 1

14. Location 1

15. Location 2

16. Location 2

17. Location 3

18. Location 3

19. Location 4

20. Location 4

21. Location 5

22. Location 5

23. Dissemination
➢ Passive and non-invasive
manner
➢ Collaboration with other
student groups to work on
informational outreach
➢ Discrete QR codes
➢ Information via smartphones
➢ Informational awareness
about the Bat Box Project and
about local bat populations
WNS. Org

24. Special Thanks
Special thanks to the Friends of Allentown Parks, Scott
Burnet, Dr. Sarah Bouboulis, Peter Saenger, and Dr.
Heiman for their expertise and support in this project

25. References
Bouboulis, Sarah. Email interview. 24 Feb. 2014.
Burnet, Scott. Personal interview. 1 Mar. 2014.
Frick, Winifred F., Jacob F. Pollock, Alan C. Hicks, Kate E. Langwing, D. Scott Reynolds, Gregory G. Turner, Calvin M. Butchkoski, and
Thomas H. Kunz. "An Emerging Disease Causes Regional Population Collapse of a Common North American Bat Species." Science
Magazine 6 Aug. 2010: 679-682. An Emerging Disease Causes Regional Population Collapse of a Common North American Bat Species.
Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
Havens, Aaron. "ADW: Myotis lucifugus: INFORMATION." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
<http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Myotis_lucifugus/>.
Mulheisen, Michael, and Kathleen Berry. "ADW: Eptesicus fuscus: INFORMATION." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
<http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Eptesicus_fuscus/>.
"White-Nose Syndrome." White-Nose Syndrome. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/more/wildlife/white-
nose_syndrome.html>.
"White-Nose Syndrome Map." White-nose syndrome map. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. <http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map>.
"White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America." Fort Collins Science Center. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.fort.usgs.gov/wns/>.
Young, Susan. "Culprit behind bat scourge confirmed." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.nature.com/news/2011/111026/full/news.2011.613.html>.