Field Workshop: Bats

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

• • Ohio’s Bats: Species and Conservation Status updates: What is impacting Ohio’s Bats
  • Agricultural and Ecological Benefits of Bats
  • Human Benefits of Bats: Science and Biomimicry
  • Wild Bat Research: Introduction into techniques used to study bats in the wild
  • Phenology and Habitat needs of Ohio’s bats (what we might see later)
  • What are we doing for Ohio’s Bats (and ourselves)

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 northeast Ohio resident drawn to nature from an early age. With degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, he has spent over 40 years working locally as an engineer, scientist, and clinical research director. A chance to opportunity to hear bats in flight sparked a deep passion, leading him and his wife Ann to launch Discover Bats Ohio in 2024. Both are Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists (OCVN) active with The Nature Conservancy, Portage Park District, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and many more. Members of multiple bat working groups, they have led over 50 educational events for over 3,000 people, and their research has been presented at US regional conferences. Todd’s talks blend science, storytelling, and a contagious love of bats.

Location: Directions will be sent to the registrants. James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is in Garrettsville, OH.

Register here:

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