{"id":775565,"date":"2021-10-29T12:35:53","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T16:35:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forests.org\/?p=775565"},"modified":"2023-03-23T13:00:38","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T17:00:38","slug":"sfi-supports-boy-scouts-building-forest-bat-boxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forests.org\/fr\/sfi-supports-boy-scouts-building-forest-bat-boxes\/","title":{"rendered":"SFI Supports Boy Scouts Building Forest Bat Boxes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Bats in Minnesota have been hit hard by white-nose syndrome<\/a> (WNS), their population declining by as much as 90% in some places. In an effort to help provide alternative roosting options and encourage bat numbers to improve despite WNS, Voyageur\u2019s Council of Boy Scouts of America<\/a> youth recently partnered with forest sector professionals to build 70 bat boxes made of locally sourced Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)-certified lumber and help educate the public about the benefits of sustainable forest management for bat conservation.<\/p>\n

The project<\/a> kicked off in the fall of 2020 and took place over multiple days\u2014and eventually many months, as Scouts initially built the boxes made of native tamarack trees before work on the project unexpectedly paused because of a surprise snowstorm and COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings.<\/p>\n

SFI-certified organization Norbord (now West Fraser) donated the timber necessary to create the bat box components, and as Scouts initially built the boxes in the fall, they learned about WNS and its impact on local bat populations from educational materials donated by Bat Conservation International<\/a>. In the spring of 2021, when the Scouts were able to safely gather to erect the bat boxes, an auger drilled holes into Minnesota Power<\/a>-owned land, they installed the boxes and cemented them firmly in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re helping the Scouts understand that bats are not something to be afraid of\u2014something that\u2019s not scary,\u201d said Michael Jenkins, Executive Director for Voyageur Scouts. \u201cThey\u2019re learning that bats are very, very important to our environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minnesota SFI Implementation Committee<\/a> Coordinator and Vice President of Forest Policy for the Minnesota Forest Industries<\/a>, Rick Horton, said the goal of the boxes is to help the bats survive and thrive for generations to come\u2014as well as to educate the Scouts and general public. Each bat box pole included a 9\u201d x 12\u201d sign explaining why bats matter, the risk of WNS, and the role of forest management in bat conservation. Though habitat is not a factor in the decline of forest bats in the Duluth area, the hope is that by increasing healthy habitat options and reducing predation bats can begin to improve their populations.<\/p>\n

In the future, the project aims to continue monitoring the use of the bat boxes using tools that record bat acoustics and sharing results. Whether acting as pollinators, seed spreaders, or pest control, bats are an important element of forest ecosystems. By educating and encouraging youth to learn about the importance of bats and supporting healthy bat habitat, the Scouts will hopefully continue to serve as bat ambassadors, helping combat common misinformation about our flying friends.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Get Involved<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bats live almost everywhere on Earth, so no matter where you call home, it\u2019s likely that there are local bat species living nearby! Support bats and join the Scouts in aiding bat conservation efforts by getting involved with Bat Week! Annually timed to coincide with Halloween, there\u2019s no better time to take action<\/a> and share why forest lovers should celebrate Bat Week<\/a>. SFI\u2019s award-winning environmental education initiative, Project Learning Tree, has assembled a page of free crafts, activities, coloring pages, and much more<\/a> to share with your children and inspire an appreciation for bats at any age.<\/p>\n

Build your own bat box<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Are you thinking about building your own bat box? Not all boxes are considered equal by both bats and forests! Consider supporting bat conservation efforts by installing a bat box made of SFI-certified wood at your work, home, or nearby school, but be sure to follow detailed instructions to provide the best home. Some tips to get you started:<\/p>\n