1. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A White-Nose Syndrome in Bats Impacts on the National Park Service Mission Dr. Herbert C. Frost Associate Director Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Elaine Leslie Deputy Chief, Operations Biological Resource Management Division

2. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Caves and Mines in NPS Units 85 units with caves 85 units with caves 4,000 caves 4,000 caves 126 units with mines 126 units with mines 3,100 mines 3,100 mines Carlsbad Caverns NP

3. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Bats in NPS Units Gary Berdeaux Bat Conservation Int ’ l

4. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A WNS Distribution and NPS Units

5. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A WNS Impacts to NPS Units Gary Berdeaux Bat Conservation Int ’ l

6. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Impacts on Natural Resources Bats Bats Other cave flora and fauna Other cave flora and fauna Ecosystem effects Ecosystem effects Research activities Research activities David Mindell Bat Conservation Int’l William R. Elliot

7. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Impacts on Cave Users Visitors Visitors Researchers Researchers Education Education Maintenance Maintenance Gary Berdeaux Carlsbad Caverns NP Daniel Nolfi Carlsbad Caverns NP

8. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Human Health Implications of WNS NPS Office of Public Health statement on WNS: Risk to Humans is unknown but appears to be low. Risk to Humans is unknown but appears to be low. The fungus grows only at cold temperatures (41-68 degrees F) that are much lower than that of the human body. The fungus grows only at cold temperatures (41-68 degrees F) that are much lower than that of the human body. No human illnesses to date have been associated with contact or exposure to WNS-infected bats or caves. No human illnesses to date have been associated with contact or exposure to WNS-infected bats or caves. Additional research is necessary to further explore potential human health risks associated with WNS. Additional research is necessary to further explore potential human health risks associated with WNS.

9. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A What NPS is Doing Guidance to parks on cave use Guidance to parks on cave use Surveillance & monitoring Surveillance & monitoring Visitor education Visitor education Research support Research support Collaboration Collaboration Kevin T. Castle Daniel Nolfi

10. National Plan for WNS A collaborative effort led by Department of the Interior with other Federal, State, Tribal agencies to: Provide science-informed WNS management guidance Provide science-informed WNS management guidance Coordinate research efforts, disease surveillance, and data management Coordinate research efforts, disease surveillance, and data management Standardize diagnostic testing Standardize diagnostic testing Propose communication messages Propose communication messages

11. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Issues Ongoing investigation – time is of the essenceOngoing investigation – time is of the essence Complex coordination needsComplex coordination needs Control presents biological and social challengesControl presents biological and social challenges Two listed species vulnerable nowTwo listed species vulnerable now Potential to impact 25 of 40 N. Am. bat speciesPotential to impact 25 of 40 N. Am. bat species Future litigation and/or petitions likelyFuture litigation and/or petitions likely Grassroots interest in bat conservationGrassroots interest in bat conservation

12. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Thank You Questions?