Organizers: Laurie K. Allen, USGS, Reston, VA

Cris D. Hein, Bat Conservation International, Forest Grove, OR

Manuela Huso, USGS Forest Rangeland and Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR

Sponsor: US Geological Survey, Ecosystems Mission Area

Turbine related fatalities impact nearly a quarter of bat species occurring in the U.S. and Canada. Both bats and wind energy offer economic and environmental benefits. Finding timely solutions to minimize bat fatalities while developing wind energy production is critical. Bats are among the most difficult vertebrates to study and huge gaps remain in our understanding of the movements, behaviors, and habitat needs of many species, but particularly those most affected by wind turbines. Lack of this scientific information is affecting the ability of fish, wildlife and land management agencies to evaluate the environmental effects of proposed energy development. In the past few years, new methodological, conceptual, and technical breakthroughs have improved our understanding of the problem of bat fatalities at wind turbines and these advances chart a course for addressing this important conservation and management issue. Wildlife friendly wind energy development is important to society as a whole and a multi-tiered, science-based approach offers the best option for energy security and wildlife conservation. This symposium will identify priority research areas and present research and technology developments.