Are you interested in managing for bats on your property? Check out the below resources on forest management, bat houses, and conflict management.
Forest Management for Bats
- Managing Habitat for Bats – A Guide for Landowners and Managers in Ohio
- Forest Management & Bats
- Beneficial Forest Management Practices for WNS-Affected Bats
- Relationships of Three Species of Bats Impacted by White-Nose Syndrome to Forest Condition and Management
- Ohio Woodland Stewards – classes, workshops, and webinars on forest and wildlife management
Before management takes place, landowners and land managers should have a management plan in place. Contact a natural resource professional to help in the creation of the plan and objectives. These professionals perform a site visit with the landowner and offer advice on best management practices, as well as information on opportunities for financial assistance to help achieve management goals.
- ODNR, Division of Wildlife – Private Lands Biologist
- ODNR, Division of Forestry – State Foresters
- Consulting Foresters – these professionals provide forest management recommendations and advice to landowners for a fee.
- Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Wildlife Specialists
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- US Fish & Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
We strongly recommend consulting with a forester before any harvesting takes place – use Call Before You Cut (877-424-8288) or contact an individual from the above list.
Bat Houses
Placing a bat house on your property can be a great way to provide habitat to bats.
- Bat Conservation International – Bat House and Bat Garden Information
- Bat House Builder’s Handbook
- Selecting a Quality Bat House, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation
- Additional Bat House Plans
What else can you do?
- Plant a bat garden with native plants that attract food for bats!
- Consider using less pesticides that impact insect populations (aka bat food).
- Consider less lighting around your backyard at night.
For help with these suggestions, watch this 4-minute video by ODNR, Division of Wildlife’s Sarah Stankavich on creating bat gardens and other bat-friendly backyard suggestions.