Programming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the…

Programming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the national park system. The study units facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the national park system.performance goals this project will create an updated species list for bandelier national monument (band) and the valles caldera national preserve (vall) and assess susceptibility of bats to WNS in this area. IT will provide information to support decisions about enhancing resource protection by identifying hibernacula locations, creating a park-level WNS plan to address monitoring, prevention, and mitigation, and enhance interpretive programming to include programs and exhibits showcasing bats and the dangers of WNS.project objectives 1.describe the BAT assemblage for band and vall: both park units will obtain data onand enhance the local knowledge of winter and summer roost locations, BAT assemblages, species-specific habitat use, species-specific occupancy of roosts, and will determine presence of PD in bats. Data collected will build upon previous BAT research that occurred in band, vall, and surrounding santa FE national forest (sfnf) regarding status and trends of BAT populations and summer roost locations to help inform recreation and trail planning efforts.2.enhance resource protection: band and vall have abundant cultural resources, some of which are associated with the same geologic features that are ideal for BAT roosts. Visitors may be accessing and disturbing these important habitats used by bats and increasing the risk of human-assisted spread of WNS. Having a better understanding of the extent of roost habitat will help determine which sites may need to be monitored and or access restricted. IT will also help guide vall and band to develop a WNS monitoring plan.beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public)