Thursday August 7, 2025 from 6:00 – 10:00 PM (dinner included)
James H. Barrow Biological Field Station at Hiram College
Instructor: Todd Cartner, Citizen Scientist, OCVN, Founder and Co-Owner of Discover Bats Ohio
The Land Conservancy is pleased to offer a workshop dedicated to learning more about Ohio’s bats. Instructor Todd Cartner will present Banking on Bats: Conservation’s Role in Restoring Ohio’s Bats, Agriculture, and Human Health. Todd will teach us about Ohio’s bat species and their conservation status. In addition, he’ll discuss the many benefits of bats as well as their habitat requirements and current research.
Bats were once one of our most prolific conservation partners secretly consuming untold billions of dollars in agricultural pests. But since the appearance of White Nose Syndrome in Ohio in 2010, we have lost 90% or more of most of our bat species. However, bats are beginning to show signs of resiliency and adaptability. Now, even with their limited reproductive habits and long life, conservation plays a critical role in protecting the habitats and ecosystems these amazing creatures need to rebound. But beyond bats, science is just beginning to learn about the unique biology and physiology of bats, and what we can learn from them for our own human health. This evening, we will discuss these topics and more, then head out at dusk to see, listen to, and identify the secret creatures of our night skies.
James H. Barrow Biological Field Station encompasses 220 acres and is protected with conservation easement held by Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
Fee: $40/person
Hiram students: Free. Please contact Renee Boronka, rboronka@wrlandconservancy.org, for information on complimentary student registration.
Limit: 15
Schedule
6:00 PM Welcome and Introduction
6:15 – 8:15 PM Program; Break from 7-7:30 PM for dinner
8:15 Bat Safari at Dusk: See, Listen, Identify wild live bats. (Sunset is at 8:34 PM)
We’ll break into groups each with a leader and research grade bat detector. Plan to watch, listen and identify the bats that are present. Note: we will not be capturing or handling bats at this workshop.
Recommendations: Good shoes, hiking stick, headlamp or flashlight (red-light only), bug clothing or spray
About Todd Cartner
Todd is a lifelong resident of northeast Ohio who has always been pulled towards the natural world around him. With degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, he has worked for over 40 years in northeast Ohio as an engineer, scientist, and clinical research director. Seeing bats fly out of a barn at dusk, he has always had a fascination for them. About a decade ago he became hooked on bats after discovering accessible technology that permitted listening to bats in flight. In 2023, Todd and his wife Ann began pursuing bat education and research. Both Todd and Ann are Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists (OCVN) who volunteer for many Ohio organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Portage Park District, Ohio State Parks, Ohio Division of Wildlife, and more. Todd is a member of the Ohio, Northeast and Midwest Bat Working Groups. Together, Todd and Ann have conducted over 50 bat educational events across Ohio for more than 2,000 children and adults. In 2024, they founded Discover Bats Ohio LLC and continue to do events and conduct acoustic research.
Location: Directions will be sent to the registrants. James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is in Garrettsville, OH.
PLEASE NOTE: You may be photographed or recorded by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy during this event. Your image or words may be used in materials prepared by or for the Land Conservancy, including marketing related materials.
Organizer: Renee Boronka, rboronka@wrlandconservancy.org, 216-533-8761