What kind of bats live in the Puntledge River Watershed?
We’re about to find out, thanks to ultrasonic acoustic data.
This project is being led by the Comox Valley Land Trust with funding from the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program.
It’ll combine data collection with a number of technological interventions and on-the-ground actions to conserve and protect high-quality bat habitat.
It includes installing permanent acoustic monitoring stations while doing site-specific field investigations, as well as community outreach.
“This project takes a strategic approach to bat conservation,” says Julie Fournier, FWCP’s Coastal Region manager.
“It aims to identify bats and bat habitat in the Puntledge, specifically maternal colonies and hibernacula, and do the long-term work of protecting them.”
Bats play a key role in our ecosystem by eating large numbers of flying insects.
A single bat can eat hundreds of mosquitos and other insects in an hour thereby reducing the need for pesticides.
This project is one of 31 fish and wildlife projects and $2.4 million approved by the Coastal Region board for 2021–2022.
Other approved projects will benefit fish and wildlife in many ways, including restoring ecosystems for fish and wildlife, supporting endangered and at-risk species, conserving critical habitats, filling important data gaps, and addressing priority species such as sockeye, Chinook, coho, pink, chum, northern spotted owls, Vancouver Island marmots, and whitebark pine.
This year, the FWCP approved roughly $9.4 million for 100 projects across its Coastal, Columbia, and Peace regions.
You can learn more about FWCP projects, results, and how you can apply for a grant by visiting fwcp.ca and subscribing to the FWCP’s e-letter and newsletter at fwcp.ca/subscribe.
The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries & Oceans Canada, First Nations, and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams.
