AWA input for Alberta’s draft Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis Bat Recovery Plan
August 22, 2024
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On August 22, 2024, AWA provided input on the draft Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis Bat Recovery Plan prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas. Given the severity of threats, predicted declines, and knowledge gaps with respect to the species’ hibernaculum and other critical habitat, AWA generally supports the bat recovery plan, but emphasizes the need for further actions.
The recovery plan states that “the primary way to support current and future bat populations is through effective habitat management and protection”.
AWA agrees that better habitat protection is critical, but also highlights the need for:
- Actions that conserve and support insect populations, increasing prey availability and resilience for these bat species who require robust fat stores to overwinter;
- Limiting the type, timing, location, and concentration of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals applied by industry and the public, co-benefitting bats and insects by increasing insect populations and prey availability for bats, while reducing the bioaccumulation of harmful chemicals in the environment;
- Updating forestry guidelines to include measurable and binding targets for retention of bat roosting habitat;
- Prioritizing the identification and protection of remaining old growth forests patches from pressures like logging;
- Prohibiting or severely restricting of glyphosate to help support the return and growth of Populus sp. important to bat habitats,
- And more!
AWA input can be read in full here.
