Creatures of the Night: Conservation and Recovery of Vermont’s Bats

White-nose Syndrome decimated Vermont’s hibernating bats between 2008 and 2010 and the disease continues to threaten the remaining population. But there is hope. The drastic 90% decline has slowed, and some individual bats have survived multiple years despite being exposed to the disease. Learn about Vermont’s nine fascinating species of bats, what research we are doing to understand White-nose Syndrome, how Vermont is a leader in bat conservation, and what you can do to help.

Alyssa Bennett is the Small Mammals Biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, where she oversees the conservation and management of 35 small mammal species and collaborates with biologists and researchers across the US and Canada. Her work is primarily focused on Vermont’s threatened and endangered bat species. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Hampshire College, a master’s in behavioral neuroendocrinology from Smith College, and was a biology professor at Berkshire Community College.

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