Going GREEN Online Lecture: Let’s Talk Bats: Learn more about our only flying mammal

Going GREEN Lecture:

Let’s talk bats: Learn more about our only flying mammal

RECORDING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA1CE9H3-1s

February 29, 2024 @ 7pm

With Diana Foss, former Urban Wildlife Technical Guidance Biologist

with Texas Parks and Wildlife

 

NOTE: Due to internet outagae in her area, Diana was unable to deliver this lecture in January. We’re excited to have her back for February’s Going GREEN Lecture.

 

Let’s talk bats!  As our only flying mammals, bats occupy a unique niche in many worldwide ecosystems. They provide critical services within those ecosystems, such as pollination or seed dispersal. We’ll take a look at bat species locally and worldwide, focusing on their behavior, preferred food and habitats. While most of our local bats specialize in eating insects, we’ll briefly mention species that feed on nectar, fish, blood, and more. We’ll also touch on simple ways you can share your appreciation for bats in the future.

 

SPEAKER

Diana recently retired after a 30-year career with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.  As an Urban Wildlife Technical Guidance Biologist in the Wildlife Diversity Program at TPWD, she worked with a variety of public and private landowners to manage, conserve and improve habitat for wildlife in urban areas.  She also assisted governmental agencies to adapt policy for wildlife and share management advice on greenspaces, parks, and bayou corridors with wildlife habitat in mind. Prior to that, Diana served for 10 years as the Education Director of The Texas Zoo @ Victoria, a native species zoo at the time.  Diana has a B. S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University, College Station.

 

Currently, Diana helps coordinate the Houston Area Bat Team, an amazing group of trained volunteers dedicated to discovering, researching and monitoring bat populations in our region, as well as encouraging the public to value bats in our ecosystems.  She and the team give regular Friday night Bat Chats for the public down at Waugh bridge.  Since retirement, Diana enjoys gardening, quilting, and family genealogy.