[PHOTO CREDIT: KAREN VANDERWOLF/NB MUSEUM -SPECIMENS FROM THE NEW BRUNSWICK MUSEUM’S BAT COLLECTION. THESE INCLUDE THE BIG BROWN BAT, LITTLE BROWN BAT, NORTHERN LONG-EAR BAT, AND THE TRICOLORED BAT]
In a previous post (May 24, 2013) I wrote about Dara Glaspy, a grade 2 student from New Brunswick with an interest in bats. She has been constructing bat houses with her father to raise money for research on bats and white-nose syndrome. On July 17 Dara visited me here at the New Brunswick Museum along with her parents, brother, and her teacher. So far Dara has raised an amazing $350 from selling her bat houses. The family has been very impressed with the community response and interest in the project. Donald McAlpine and I gave the family a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum; including the bat collection and the actively growing fungal colonies that are part of my research.
[PHOTO CREDIT: KAREN VANDERWOLF/NB MUSEUM – DARA GAVE ME A COPY OF THE POSTER SHE MADE FOR HER BAT PROJECT]
[PHOTO CREDIT: KAREN VANDERWOLF/NB MUSEUM – THE LARGEST BAT SPECIES IN CANADA: THE HOARY BAT]
Karen Vanderwolf
Karen has been interested in the natural world for as long as she can remember, and she always knew her career would take her into the field of biology. Karen received her Masters of Science at the University of New Brunswick, where she studied bats and the pre-white-nose syndrome fungal flora that occurs on them. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in biology at the University of Western Ontario. Karen has previously worked with Ontario Parks, performing plant and salamander field work; assisted in preparations for a Karner Blue Butterfly reintroduction; and worked with Swift Foxes, Wood Turtles and waterfowl.
