No, Not Lions and Tigers and Bears. DEM Offers Virtual Outreach Programs on Bobcats and Bats and Turkeys!
The
Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Fish and Wildlife is
partnering with local public libraries to host a series of virtual outreach
programs this fall. Collared bobcat in South Kingstown. Photo credit: R. Saxon
The programs are designed to spread awareness of wildlife
management and conservation efforts across the state in a fun, interactive
setting.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Rhode Islanders to learn about bobcats, bats and turkeys and the interesting research that is happening right in our own backyards," said DEM Wildlife Outreach Coordinator Mary Gannon.
"Although it's been very different this year because we are not able to
run programs in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, we're reaching a lot of
Rhode Islanders by offering virtual programs and information about local
wildlife conservation in a fun way!"
"All About Bobcats" will be presented on Thursday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. in partnership with the Langworthy Public Library in Hope Valley. Attendees will learn about bobcat natural history and current research efforts in the state.
DEM Wildlife Outreach staff will be joined by Amy Gottfried Mayer of the University of Rhode Island's Wildlife Genetics and Ecology Lab (WGEL), who will share tracking and home range data from a recent collaborative bobcat project. DEM has partnered with the WGEL to study genomics and distribution of Rhode Island's bobcat, black bear, New England cottontail, and brook trout populations, through funding provided by the Federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
On
Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m.– just in time for Halloween – Wildlife
Outreach staff will present "Bat Chat," in partnership with the East
Smithfield Public Library. Attendees will participate in bat 'myth-busting,'
learn about bat research efforts in Rhode Island, and how everyone can get
involved to helping these important flying mammals.
Lastly,
on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m., Wildlife Outreach staff will present
"Turkey Talk," in partnership with the Davisville Free Library in
North Kingstown. This program will cover the basics of wild turkey natural
history and current population data collection efforts.
All
programs are free and family friendly. Registration is required to receive a
link to access the program via Zoom. Each program will run for about an hour.
Links to the registration forms are listed below.
Bobcat
registration link: https://forms.gle/g8dUvQCoMCS5Kdmy8
Bat
registration link: https://forms.gle/rL6tEgBmkxNRBoCQ7
Turkey
registration link: https://forms.gle/YdFzttWkyPtKhe9w9
For
more information on Rhode Island's wildlife, visit
www.dem.ri.gov/wildlifeoutreach. Follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM and www.facebook.com/RIfishandwildlife, on
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), and Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem and @RI.FishandWildlife)
for timely updates.
For
more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow
us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter
(@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
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