Service Description

Echoes in the Landscape: Uncovering How Bats Use Working Lands presented by Erin Shibley, a wildlife biologist with the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Did you know that bats offer numerous ecosystem services globally, including pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal? Here in Virginia, bats are critical members of our agricultural ecosystems, consuming thousands of insect pests each night. This interactive program will focus on the behavior and ecological benefits of bats. The presentation will share Smithsonian research updates from a new Virginia Working Landscapes' study in Northern Virginia that explores how bats utilize foraging habitat across agricultural landscapes. Attendees will learn about conservation challenges to North American bat populations and how everyone can get involved to help support bats on their own properties. Erin received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from James Madison University and her Master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Frostburg State University. Her career experience has involved surveying various wildlife populations, evaluating human impacts to the landscape, promoting human-wildlife coexistence measures, and leading conservation-focused outreach and education initiatives. Erin’s interest in wildlife conservation and sustainable land use led her to the Smithsonian where she enjoys engaging the community in ecological research and conservation initiatives.