The Ridges Sanctuary spots endangered northern long-eared bats in Wisconsin

Conservation work at The Ridges Sanctuary near Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, has documented northern long-eared bats in several areas of the preserve as white-nose syndrome continues to drive steep bat declines. The findings are shaping habitat restoration, public education and future collaboration with state and federal wildlife agencies. Why it matters: - The northern long-eared bat is federally endangered after white-nose syndrome pushed bat numbers to historic lows. - The species helps control insects and disperse seeds, so its decline affects forest and ecosystem health. - The Ridges Sanctuary’s documented bat activity offers evidence that local habitat can still support the species. What happened: - The Ridges Sanctuary near Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, highlighted conservation efforts for the northern long-eared bat. - Recent acoustic monitoring confirmed northern long-eared bats in several areas of the preserve. - J. Paul White, a mammal ecologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, verified the species from recordings collected with portable and fixed acoustic monitoring equipment. - White said Wisconsin populations of northern long-eared and tricolored bats crashed to less than 5% of pre-disease numbers. The details: - White-nose syndrome is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. - The disease irritates bats’ wings and noses during hibernation, waking them early in winter and leading to starvation, dehydration and freezing. - The fungus has killed millions of bats across North America. - The Ridges contains key habitat types for bats, including fens, sedge meadows and forested northern hardwood swamps. - The monitoring was partly part of baseline surveys for the Boreal Climate Survivability Project. - The project is a collaboration involving The Ridges Sanctuary, the Climate Change Coalition of Door County, the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and the Daybreak Fund. - The project examines how reforestation and habitat management may support long-term resilience for Door County’s plant and animal communities as the climate changes. - Forest restoration can help northern long-eared bats by expanding roosting habitat and foraging opportunities. - The Sanctuary has also installed bat condos through an Eagle Scout project to improve roosting habitat near key foraging areas. Between the lines: - The Sanctuary is pairing conservation science with public education, which can broaden local support for a species that is difficult to spot and easy to overlook. - The acoustic monitoring suggests the preserve may function as a meaningful refuge even as the broader regional population remains depleted. - Planned collaboration with the Wisconsin DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service points to a more coordinated approach to surveying, habitat protection and recovery. - White said collaboration with The Ridges will help build a community of conservationists focused on documenting species occurrences, monitoring habitat and improving forested habitat. What’s next: - The Ridges will keep using research, stewardship and community engagement to protect northern long-eared bats and other native wildlife. - Summer night hikes will continue to include portable acoustic monitoring so visitors can see bat activity in real time. - The annual Wisconsin Bat Wingding in September will feature presentations, educational activities and bat house-building opportunities. - The Sanctuary’s planned work with state and federal wildlife agencies is expected to support future surveys and habitat improvements. The bottom line: - The Ridges Sanctuary is using field data, habitat restoration and public outreach to help one of Wisconsin’s rarest bats persist in a landscape still shaped by white-nose syndrome.