White Nose Syndrome-NSS Liaison Report, March 15, 2009

White Nose Syndrome-NSS Liaison Report, March 15, 2009

Introduction:

This report coincides with the mid-winter hibernation season. Unfortunately, the news is not good for the bats. White Nose Syndrome has now spread to at least four new states as of this writing: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia. Within previously affected states, new sites have also been identified. Given how we observed WNS progress last winter, we can expect more sites to be found before the spring emergence.

While the Geomyces species of cold-loving fungus is dominating the research, scientists have not reached any conclusions about whether it is the cause of WNS, or an opportunistic agent taking advantage of bats weakened by something else. Most are convinced, supported by evidence, that WNS is spreading bat to bat, and that WNS is biological in nature. Beyond that, other causes have not been ruled out, nor has a human vector in assisting the spread.

Progress:

Attended the North American Symposium on Bat Research in Scranton, PA, Oct. 22-25, 2008, which included special sessions devoted to WNS. Expenses were covered in part by the President and AVP department budgets.
Awarded three additional research grants from the NSS WNS Rapid Response Fund, bringing the total number to four. Total awards are now a little over $27,000. Interim financial reports from grantees have been received.
Posted on the Liaison web page the finally available proceedings of the Albany, NY, WNS conference, including the science strategy priorities.
Coordinated a formal NSS letter of support, signed by Pres. Birkhimer, for the pending multistate SWG grant;
Continue to maintain and update an active Web site accessed through the NSS home page, or direct link: http://www.caves.org/WNS/WNS%20Info.htm

The site provides continually updated links to a PowerPoint presentation on WNS and other WNS sites, including an active media digest on WNS to track public coverage. Thanks to Alex Sproul and Mike Warner for tech support.
Wrote a WNS article for the March NSS News Conservation issue.
Maintain virtual daily contact with scientists and agency personnel working on WNS;
Participated in a 6½ hour nationwide webinar on WNS on Feb. 20, 2009, along with 45 of the top researchers working on WNS — including laboratory, university, state and federal wildlife personnel, and NGOs, such as BCI and the NSS. In lieu of a physical conference, presentations on interim research findings and field developments were provided on the web, and interactive discussion was quite active.
Continue to stay in contact with affected NSS Nature Preserve managers, most recently actively with Dave West concerning the closure of the John Guilday Caves Nature Preserve, and Tytoona Preserve manager Garrett Czmor regarding Pennsylvania developments. Tytoona remains open — and that still seems appropriate. McFails, Barton Hill, and Schoharie (all in NY) are closed, but bat surveys are in the works for later this month and March.
Continued to provide scientific research information to the caving community, through the WNS Liaison Web site, NSS&s forumCaveChat.org, and the conservancies and grottos networks;
Worked with Mike Warner to organize caver assistance with the soil sampling research project in some 30 states. Many of these sites have been completed; others still to come over the next couple of weeks. Thanks to cavers across the country who responded to the call for assistance.
On CaveChat, in the “Everything Bats” section, ₊Fungus Serious Threat to NE Bats” topic, there are over 400 postings and well over 48,000 viewings since the thread began a little over a year ago. Additionally, there are several other related topics with lively discussions.
I have requested the President to allocate specific funding for the WNS Liaison in the next fiscal year, to cover the costs of attending important conferences and special meetings on behalf of the NSS, admin expenses, and funding an educational outreach program.

Plans:

Monitor funded projects and post reports of research activities;
Publicize and promote the WNS Rapid Response Fund to encourage donations by individuals and environmental organizations;
Continue updating all normal activities and communications;
Closely monitor the status of bats as winter develops to see how WNS is evolving and/or spreading;
Continue to make recommendations, based on the latest available research, on the NSS Preserve openings and closures relating to WNS. There is a roar of discussion on the Cave Chat, within the scientific circles, and around the country regarding what should be done as WNS continues to spread. I endeavor to think ahead and work with the preserve managers to anticipate what may need to occur at other NSS Preserves.
Continue to respond to NSS board and member questions regarding WNS through the e-mail address wnsliaison@caves.org.
Will attend the International Congress of Speleology/NSS Convention in Texas to speak directly with people regarding WNS. A special session for WNS is being wedged into the schedule.
Facilitate an updating of the decontamination protocols as new information becomes available. Currently, NSS member Eliah Kagan, of the Syracuse University Outing Club, has been working diligently with the various rope manufacturers to coordinate their cleaning recommendations with those of the USF&WS. I have been facilitating his communications with USF&WS&s Jeremy Coleman (WNS coordinator) and Robyn Niver, who have been coordinating the decontamination protocol updates. NSS member Dr. Hazel Barton, in collaboration with Dr. David Blehert and the USFWS, has begun laboratory work to determine effective decontamination methods for caving textiles, based on a strain of the Geomyces fungus
In the event the SWG multi-state grant is awarded, I will facilitate volunteer caver assistance in fieldwork projects — something the NSS pledged as an in-kind contribution in our letter of support for the grant.
Expand the scope and reach of the liaison position so as a committee it can be more effective in raising money for the WNS Research Restricted Fund, liaising with state and other agencies, getting the word out about WNS to NSS members, and providing them with the resources to inform other individuals and organizations who own, enter, or otherwise use caves. To do this, I plan to recruit more volunteers (for what has already become a liaison committee) to handle specific tasks, enhance our liaison network, and allow us to be more pro-active and responsive. Information on WNS is developing very quickly, so it is critical that all liaison, education, and communication from the NSS be coordinated and facilitated by the WNS Liaison.
Create an official position and recommendations statement on WNS for the NSS.

Problems:

WNS continues to spread.
As it begins to affect new regions, local cavers begin to be more directly affected: events have been canceled, decontamination procedures all of a sudden have more meaning, bat hibernacula are closed to visitation, etc. What had been a Northeast problem, has now taken on a more national significance.
Funding for research.
Our WNS Rapid Response Fund has only a little more than $2,000 in it as of this writing, which means we are no longer able to provide effective funding for research. If the NSS is to continue to support this important research, and be a player in finding a cause and cure of WNS, it is critical that we greatly increase the value of the fund. I have asked the President to place a motion on the agenda for this Board meeting that will have the NSS contribute significantly to the Fund. It is extremely important for the NSS as an organization to continue to support research into this devastating syndrome. A few activities have been supported through USF&WS funds (and creative thinking at the local level). A major multi-state competitive State Wildlife Grant (SWG) through the USF&WS is pending. All the major researchers (and 8 states) are counting on this for sustained progress. Without it, total research funding will fall back only to private sources like the NSS, Bat Conservation International, and some foundations.
Continued lack of detailed primary source field and laboratory research data.

I know of one new research project ready for publication in early March. Others are not likely to be available until the fall. This leads to continued frustration from the caving and general public on the research progress.
Variability in perspectives among cavers and wildlife officials.

Some parts of the country have good working relationships, and others less so. Some cavers are suspicious of the officials, and vice versa. We need to continually look for opportunities to collaborate in a positive manner, and encourage grottos to become involved at state level.

Conclusion:

The NSS must continue to play a significant role in the WNS investigation, management, and dissemination of information. The work of the Liaison through research support, caver communication, and information dissemination seems to have been effective within the NSS community on the east coast, and widely appreciated.

The fear that scientists and cave managers had of WNS spreading this winter is coming to fruition. This puts additional bat populations and species potentially at risk and raises new conservation challenges.

Cavers must be informed of what they can do to try to limit the further spread of White Nose Syndrome..

Raising money to fund critical, time-sensitive research is imperative. .

The Liaison Committee needs to expand its scope and range in order to keep up with the demands resulting from the number of caves and cavers being directly affected by the spread of WNS.

Peter Youngbaer, WNS Liaison
NSS 16161 <wnsliaison@caves.org>