This award will support the continuation and expansion of a multi-year monitoring and disease surveillance program focused on three migratory nectar-feeding BAT species of conservation concern:…

The University of Arizona (operating as the Arizona Board of Regents) received a Cooperative Agreement award of $295,860.72 from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the Wildlife Resource Management program (CFDA 15.247), effective September 24, 2025, through September 24, 2027. This award supports a multi-year monitoring and disease surveillance program targeting three migratory nectar-feeding bat species of conservation concern in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico: Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, L. nivalis (federally endangered), and Choeronycteris mexicana (BLM sensitive species). The University will conduct comprehensive field monitoring using acoustic surveys, mist-netting, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging, and environmental swabbing to assess the presence of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (the white-nose syndrome fungal pathogen), bat occupancy, and habitat conditions across multiple roost types including caves, mines, bridges, and artificial structures.

The project delivers integrated surveillance and analysis products including roost inspections documenting environmental conditions conducive to disease establishment, PIT tag detection data tracking migratory pathways and species overlap, and modeled risk corridors and refuge habitats incorporating acoustic and PIT tag results. The award includes collaboration with the Tohono O'odham Nation's Wildlife Vegetation Management Program to conduct joint surveys and integrate indigenous ecological knowledge, along with coordination with the BLM, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Monitoring will encompass multiple bat species susceptible to white-nose syndrome to better characterize multispecies transmission dynamics as the pathogen continues spreading westward into the region.

This award will support the continuation and expansion of a multi-year monitoring and disease surveillance program focused on three migratory nectar-feeding BAT species of conservation concern: leptonycteris yerbabuenae, l. Nivalis, and choeronycteris mexicana. These bats are vital pollinators of arid ecosystems in southern arizona and southwestern new mexico. L. Nivalis is federally endangered, c. Mexicana is listed as near threatened and is a bureau of land management (BLM) sensitive species, and l. Yerbabuenae, although federally delisted, is still subject to post-delisting monitoring. As pseudogymnoascus destructans (PD), the fungal pathogen causing white-nose syndrome (WNS), continues to spread westward, this regions unique climate and ecological corridors require targeted surveillance. The project will assess PD presence, BAT occupancy, and habitat conditions across a range of elevations and roost typesincluding caves, mines, bridges, BAT boxes, and hummingbird feedersusing acoustic monitoring, mist-netting, PIT tagging, and environmental swabbing. Roost inspections will document temperature and humidity to evaluate suitability for PD establishment. Ongoing monitoring at the big hatchet mountains roost includes PIT tag detections and coordinated population counts as part of postdelisting efforts for l. Yerbabuenae. Captures will also include species susceptible to WNS, such as myotis thysanodes, m. Velifer, m. Volans, m. Ciliolabrum, and eptesicus fuscus, to better understand multispecies transmission dynamics. PIT tag data will inform migratory pathways and potential overlap between species. Acoustic and PIT tag detections will be integrated into model risk corridors and refuge habitats. We will collaborate with the tohono oodham nations wildlife vegetation management program to conduct joint surveys, build tribal capacity, and integrate indigenous ecological knowledge. Coordination with BLM, arizona game and fish, and new mexico department of game and fish will ensure that survey design, permitting, and data sharing align with regional conservation priorities.project outcomes include: a georeferenced dataset on PD detections and BAT activity updated species distribution data predictive models of PD risk and technical reports submitted to BLM. Findings will also be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences such as nasbr and the wildlife society. Community outreach will continue through public talks and educational presentations, including ongoingpartnerships with rural schools. By addressing critical data gaps in BAT health, roost ecology, and species movement, this project supports BLM wildlife program goals to maintain habitat connectivity, conserve priority species, and implement coordinated regional monitoring. IT further aligns with DOI secretarial priorities through tribal collaboration, proactive wildlife health management, and science-based planning across BLM-managed lands.