What is being done to protect the Indiana Bat?
Habitat Enhancement: US Forest Service (US Dept. of Agriculture) actively manages watersheds and forests to provide Indiana Bat habitat including sources of water, roosts and forage areas. Bat-friendly gates have been installed in key breeding sites. Collaboration continues with federal, state and private organizations to improve bat habitat rangewide. Consultation: US Forest Service consults both informally and formally with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS – US Department of Interior) whenever new issues develop to ensure that new information is considered and that projects maintain or enhance the bats’ conservation and recovery. Recovery Plan: USFWS developed a recovery plan in 1976, followed by a revision in 1983. A newly revised recovery plan for the Indiana Bat is due out in 1999. Research: Research continues to investigate the cause(s) of the dramatic decline of Indiana Bats populations and appropriate actions necessary to conserve this species.
