SPFGA Naturalist Series: A Fireside Bat Chat

Developed to further our mission by teaching people about nature and how to advocate for its conservation, the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association (SPFGA) is launching a new series of Naturalist sessions throughout 2024.

Each month we will bring various naturalists from differing backgrounds to share their knowledge in native wildlife and ecosystems to connect participants with nature and increase our appreciation of Alberta's natural heritage.

A naturalist is an expert in, or a student of natural history, so we can all become naturalists!

Our August session is entitled "A Fireside Bat Chat."

We had so much fun learning about bats from Cory Olson and Batsby, the Alberta Community Bat Program's hoary bat, at our June session that we're going to do it again, though with a slightly different format. In place of a presentation in the clubhouse, we're going to start with a fireside chat about bats as we roast smokies over the campfire. Afterward, with bat detectors in hand, we'll head out onto the property for a late night bat walk!.

Few wildlife groups in Alberta are as mysterious and misunderstood as bats. They are rarely seen or heard, yet bats are among the loudest and most common wildlife in our communities. And bats are often feared by people, yet they are an important component of healthy ecosystems and provide tremendous value to the economy and human health.

Join us for an exciting evening learning about bats, see fascinating aspects of bat biology, and stay late to watch and hear bats as they embark on their nightly feeding ventures around the SPFGA Ketchamoot Creek property. With the aid of bat detectors, we’ll transform their ultrasonic screams into human-audible sounds, allowing us a glimpse into the mysterious nighttime activities of bats.

If a youth is attending without adult accompaniment, they must be 15 years of age or older. If the youth is accompanied by an adult however, there really isn’t a minimum age. As long as they are old enough to make it through this evening of activities and do so safely, they are absolutely welcome to attend.

Cory Olson is the Program Coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada’s Alberta Community Bat Program. He is a Professional Biologist and has been working with bats for over 15 years, which began with his MSc program at the University of Calgary where he studied bats of the boreal forest. In 2015, in collaboration with the Alberta Bat Action Team, he helped found the Alberta Community Bat Program, which is now a project of Wildlife Conservation Society Canada. He has delivered hundreds of talks on bats since beginning his work on the subject. As an environmental consultant, he has conducted bat surveys in many of western Canada’s National Parks, authored several management documents relating to bats, and co-authored the recent Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status report for migratory bats.

In the event there Beaver County has declared a fire ban and we are unable to have a fire, we'll improvise by roasting the smokies on the BBQ and having a fire in the wood stove in the clubhouse.

If the temperature is predicted to drop below 10 degrees Celsius by 9:30 p.m. or if it is raining or windy, this event may be cancelled. You will be notified via email at least 24 hours before the event start time regarding any cancellations.

Will there be food & refreshments?

Yes! We'll supply the water, hot chocolate, tea, smokies, buns and condiments. If you have a weiner roasting stick, please bring it with you.

We will refund registration fees if an event is cancelled. Outside of that, individual refunds will not be provided. Please ensure your availability prior to booking. Individuals who cannot make the event may transfer their registration to another individual.

This session is supported by Stawnichy's Mundare Sausage, who have generously supplied the smokies for this event at wholesale price.

Host or Publisher Sherwood Park Fish & Game Association Board