P24AC02436

Project statement - Mammoth Cave National Park will gain valuable information on bat populations, including on federally endangered species (Indiana, Northern Long-eared, and Gray bats) as well as tri-colored bats which are proposed for listing.

The Indiana, Northern Long-eared, tricolored, and little brown bat have been devastated by WNS, and this work will continue to quantify the degree of that impact.

This information will allow park managers to make decisions on management of numerous roosting caves, such as the Mammoth Cave Historic Entrance, Dixon Cave, Colossal Cave, Bat Cave, Wilson Cave, and Lee Cave.

The project will also provide information on numerous non-listed bat species, especially the Rafinesque big-eared bat and their summer winter roosts.

These data will help guide park projects including trail management and prescribed fire.

This project will provide participants to assist the Division of Science and Resources Management at Mammoth Cave National Park with the critical assessments of bat populations relating to White Nose Syndrome, a disease which is devastating bat populations in the Eastern United States, including endangered species.

A. Performance goals

Primary project goals will generate the following data products:

Location and status of active bat structure roosts in the park, population estimates for active structure roosts, winter population estimates of cave and rock-shelter roosts, acoustic transect data regarding bats.

This data will significantly aid the park in achieving goals associated with threatened bat populations and assessing impacts of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) on bats in the park.

Secondary project goals:

Increase the understanding of the natural and cultural resources of Mammoth Cave National Park, their significance, and how they are connected within and beyond the boundaries of the park.

Gain hands-on, practical experience performing operational and scientific techniques needed to conduct field work.

B. Project objectives

The project, WNS bat monitoring participants will conduct field assessments of bat populations in Mammoth Cave National Park to assist in the study and protection of bats associated with the spread of White Nose Syndrome.

Participants will assist a variety of NPS staff and other researchers with use of equipment and protocols involving assessing health and status bat populations.

American Conservation Experience

GOALS WILL BE STATED IN EACH INDIVIDUAL TASK AGREEMENT.

15.931 - Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities

NPS Southeast Region [DOI - NPS]

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky United States

City-Wide

P-P-YOUTH-24-005

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 116% from $68,973 to $148,714.