This project will continue and build upon ongoing work to address the threat of a deadly fungal disease in bats, white-nose syndrome (WNS)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) received a $695,378 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the State Wildlife Grants program (CFDA 15.634) to address the threat of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. The three-year award beginning July 1, 2023 will support ongoing WNS response efforts such as bat population monitoring, surveillance for the fungal pathogen that causes WNS, and other response activities led by CDFW staff with assistance from scientific aides funded through the grant. Results will improve understanding of WNS impacts on California bat populations to inform decisions minimizing these impacts and focus treatment options where populations are most at risk. Additional benefits will include contributions to the North American Bat Monitoring Program database and public outreach and education.

IT will support ongoing response efforts in california through BAT population monitoring and surveillance for the fungus, and other WNS response activities. The work will be led by senior california department of fish and wildlife (cdfw) staff in the wildlife branch, with the assistance of two to three scientific aides funded by the grant. Results of the project will improve understanding of the disease s impacts to california s BAT populations and inform decisions to minimize these impacts, as well as focus treatment options at locations populations most at risk. Additional benefits to BAT conservation will be derived from objectives related to participation in the north american BAT monitoring program (nabat), database management, and public outreach and education.