SPFGA Naturalist Series: Discovering the Mysteries of Alberta's Bats

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 June session is entitled "Discovering the Mysteries of Alberta's Bats - After Dark".

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.

Cory will also be bringing the Alberta Community Bat Program's hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) with him to meet all of our naturalists.

Will there be refreshments?

Yes. Coffee, tea, water, and Hava Java's delicious cinnamon buns.

What happens if there's bad weather?

If the temperature is predicted to drop below 10 degrees Celsius by 10:00 p.m. or if it is raining or windy, this event will be rescheduled for an evening in July or August 2024.

What should do I need to bring?

Participants are requested to bring their own flashlight and to dress warmly for the late night bat walk on the property.

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 has been generously funded through a grant from Beaver County.

Host or Publisher Sherwood Park Fish & Game Association Board