California
This workshop offers an exceptional field location with ecosystems that support up to 14 bat species. The numerous and highly diverse lava tube caves found in this area provide summer and winter roosts for many local bats (including Townsend's big-eared bats and Mexican free-tailed bats) while providing an excellent opportunity to discuss and observe first-hand a diversity of cave environments. The nearby Modoc National Forest offers habitats used by a number of tree-roosting bats species as well as open water resources that are non-existent in the rugged volcanic landscape of the Monument.

Cost: $1,595 (USD)

Payment & Registration

Pennsylvania
The rolling hills and mixed agricultural fields of Central Pennsylvania offer a perfect opportunity to see how bats and humans can coexist without conflict. Many thousands of little brown myotis call this area home, yet few of them are surviving in natural roosts, opting instead for manmade structures such as buildings, barns, attics and old churches where they live and rear their young. Nearby mines and caves provide ideal hibernation sites that are critical for these and five other species of bats.

We'll net, trap and release bats over trout streams and beaver ponds and observe endangered Indiana myotis swarming at a mine entrance. We will watch 20,000 little brown myotis in a spectacular dawn return to their roost at a restored church and examine them up close. We will visit both summer and winter sites, as this is when colonies are beginning to break up and are on the move. The dawn returns at maternity roosts and the evening swarms outside hibernacula are spectacular sights. Coupled with netting activities to intercept migrating tree bats, we expect to catch up to eight different bat species during this workshop.

One Session: August 17-22, 2012

Cost: $1,595 (USD)

The cost of the workshop covers course materials, food, lodging and all transportation in the field. Applicants must make their own travel arrangements to and from the workshop site. Participants are encouraged to carpool and BCI will facilitate connecting those wishing to ride-share. Participants attending the Arizona workshop can find convenient air travel into the Tucson International Airport (TUS). For participants attending the Pennsylvania workshop, the closest major airport is Harrisburg International Airport (MDT). The most convenient major airport serving the Tulelake area is Medford-Jackson County Airport (MFR).

Single-room occupancy accommodations are not available. Housing is dormitory style with 2 - 6 people sharing a room.

Because participants will be handling wild bats during the course of these workshops, rabies pre-exposure vaccinations are required. For information on obtaining this vaccine, contact your local health department, travel clinic, or personal physician. Prices for the vaccine series (3 separate injections) vary from state to state but can be quite costly. Please plan accordingly for this additional expense. See “Pre-exposure rabies vaccination info” below for additional information about the rabies vaccine.

Registration for these workshops is on a first-come, first-served basis. The workshop sessions frequently fill to capacity, so be sure to submit your form as soon as possible. Submission instructions are provided on the registration forms below. Once your registration materials have been received, you will receive an e-mail confirmation (within 5 business days) along with a request to provide a $300 deposit and detailed information on payment options.

For more information contact the Education and Workshops Coordinator at workshops@batcon.org) or 512-327-9721.

Additional information and forms:

	Pre-exposure rabies vaccination info
	WNS Decontamination Agreement
	Scholarship Information & Application Form
	Sample Agenda

Please note:

ALL refunds regardless of payment method will be charged a 10% administrative surcharge. Cancellations made 45 days prior to the workshop will be granted a refund. Participants canceling after this deadline will only be granted a refund if BCI is able to fill the spot in the workshop. Cancellations must be in writing and sent via e-mail, post or FAX and are effective upon receipt.

What past participants had to say about the workshop:
"This is an excellent mix of classroom lecture and hands on field work experience."

"The event was excellent and exceeded my expectations."

"I don't believe I've ever learned more in a five day period."

"The course content, hands on experience and teaching are great."

"The hands-on experience was very pertinent and I feel a lot more comfortable setting up nets, traps and handling bats."

"It exceeded my educational expectations."

"The lectures were great - always interesting and very informative."

"There was a wide variety of expertise among the bat professionals."

"Very good for serious bat workers and educators."

"Without a doubt, take this course."

"The netting and trapping field trips were incredibly instructional."

"Instructor to student time was excellent."

"The instructors' knowledge and enthusiasm made for a very good workshop experience."