Attendees Go Batty Over Presentation!! by Carol Cox

Transcription

1 December 2015 / February 2008 Attendees Go Batty Over Presentation!! by Carol Cox Well, not quite, but the presentation on bats done by Christi Spak, biologist and researcher with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources certainly had a lot of those in attendance interested. The presentation, entitled Bat s In Your Garden And Other Small Furry Creatures, was a joint meeting of the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association (ECAMGA) and the Eau Claire Garden Club and was Held at the Plymouth Congregational Church on Mulholt Drive. The event occurred on Tuesday, November 17 th. The presenter gave attendees a look into the habits and habitats of these small, nocturnal creatures as well as some information on moles, voles, and other critters that we come into contact with in our gardens. One of the main parts of Christi s job is researching the spread and prevalence of White-nosed Syndrome (WNS) in bats. This involves surveying the bat population. Tiny detectors are placed on bats. These small devices then give off a sound that can be picked up by the DNR biologists on equipment in their vehicles as they travel Tri-Colored Bat. Photo courtesy of the MN DNR website. around the areas where bats are found. Researchers, such as Spak, also go into the caves where bats are hibernating to check for signs of the disease. A great deal of caution is used when going into those caves to be certain that the human visitors neither bring in the disease nor take it out with them when they leave. First observed in a New York cave in 2006/2007, the disease has spread to 19 states and 4 Canadian provinces causing massive die-offs of hibernating bats. the bats have died. This disease is responsible for the deaths of nearly seven million bats in eastern North America. Named for the white fungus that was observed on noses of the first infected bats, it also affects other body parts. A newly discovered fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, (formerly known as Geomyces destructans), has been demonstrated to cause WNS in bats. The fungus thrives in cold, humid conditions characteristic of the caves and mines that bats use to hibernate in. The disease does not present a problem in the warm weather months when the bats are active. During winter months, observable signs of WNS may include: white fungus on the bat's muzzle and other hairless parts of the body, such as wings and tails. Also bats will often be active outside during the day when temperatures are below freezing and bats clustered at the entrance of hibernacula (the disease causes a break in hibernation). In addition one may find dead or dying bats on the ground or on buildings and trees in the area. Scientists believe that WNS is transmitted primarily from bat to bat. Humans and other animals visiting infected caves and mines, while not susceptible themselves to the disease, may inadvertently carry the fungus to unaffected caves. The fungus can remain in a cave after all the bats are dead. Bats appear to be the only animals susceptible to this disease. It appears the bats die from WNS primarily during winter, due to starvation, physiological shock or freezing. Photo by Jo-Ann Clark This fungal disease started in New York as far as the U.S. is concerned. Overseas the species seems to have developed an immunity over time. In addition, in the southern part of the U.S., where bats do not need to (article continued on page 3) INSIDE: Local Master Gardener News - 2 Upcoming Events 4 Bits and Pieces - 6

2 Page 2 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener New December 2015 Local Master Gardener News Changing ? Moving? If you do, please remember to notify the ECAMG and the newsletter editor of your new e- mail address and/or mailing address so you don t miss any Eau Claire Area Master Gardener happenings! you re new Information to Carol Cox at c7w6c2200@charter.net Or notify her by snail mail at 1908 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire, WI (or call her at ). De ECAMGA Board ECAMGA BOARD MEMBER CONTACT INFO NAME/TITLE address Phone number Erin LaFaive Erin.lafaive@ces.uwex.edu Cindy Ferver cferver@charter.net Gary Mathis Garym5811@live.com Ede Strand edestrand@aol.com Amy Boetcher myamybird@aol.com Deb Spickler Andy Heren Rcktnut007@aol.com MGV Bulletin Board Postings Stories and Opportunities!!!! Bulletin Board Postings VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE ECAMGA WINTER GARDEN SEMINAR -Volunteers needed for aiding vendors set up and take down -For introducing speakers at the breakout sessions This is a great way to earn some volunteer hours. If you wish to volunteer please contact Kevin at Kevin.r.hite@gmail.com Daria Hutchinson dariahu@aol.com NOTE: The ECAMGA Board minutes no longer appears in the newsletter. You may access them by going to the website at eauclairemastergardeners.weebly.com ECAMGA 2015/2016 Calendar All meetings at UW- Extension Office unless otherwise noted Dec. 8, 2015; Christmas Potluck and election of officers. Jan. 2016: TBA Feb. 6, 2016: Ready, Set, Go Winter Garden Seminar at CVTC Mar. 2016: TBA April 2016: TBA May 2016: Annual Plant Sale June 2016: TBA July 2016: TBA

3 Page 3 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News December 2015 Attendees go batty continued from page 1. hibernate, this is not a problem as the disease strikes only hibernating bats. For now, Wisconsin s bat population is stable, but the WNS virus is racing through cave-dwelling bat populations in the eastern states and has, unfortunately, reached Minnesota and the southwest corner of our state. All four bat species that hibernate in Minnesota (and Wisconsin) are vulnerable to this disease Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Long-eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), and Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus). When hibernating the bat s body temperature is ambient (i.e., drops to that of it s environment). To survive the cold of our northern climate the bats seek out caves and other places where they can survive in a fairly stable environment such as that found in caves and underground areas where a fairly constant temperature above freezing is maintained. Why is all of this so important? After all, many of us shriek when we see bats in our houses or flying around at night! Bats, just like bees and other critters, play a major role in the eco-system and in our agriculture. One nursing female bat eats a tremendous amount of bugs and saves the average corn farmer something on the order of $72 in pesticides that would have to otherwise be purchased to deal with the detrimental insects. Along with controlling pests they are pollinators and seed-dispensers for countless plants. And, as predators of biting insects, bats may also play an important role in reducing the risk of insect-borne diseases like West-Nile virus. So one can soon begin to see that bats, just like bees, are an important factor in our agricultural economy and ecosystem. Cindi indicated that there are ways that we can help protect our bat populations. For one thing we can honor cave closures and gated caves where bats are hibernating. We should not be entering areas that serve as hibernacula for bats during the winter. If we do go near where bats are hibernating it is important to decontaminate clothing and gear so that the disease is not spread. In addition, rather than discourage bats from we can provide food (plants such as Evening Primrose, Phlox, Silene, Milkweed and Purple Coneflower among others are good plants to have in our gardens) and water for bats. Bat habitat is also enhanced by retaining large trees, protecting wetlands and, building bat houses for them to roost in. For more information on building bat houses go to: In addition, using bat-friendly methods to exclude bats from our homes will help (also never exclude bats when the females are raising their young from May through August). For more information on getting unwanted bats out of your home go to: Using organic gardening and field practices will also help maintain the population and we can become citizen scientists and help monitor the bat population. Cindi commented that the Citizen Scientist program in Wisconsin is a really good one and encouraged our participation (for more information on the program go to: In addition, if a dead or sick bat is found the description and location of the bat should be reported to the DNR. Cindi Spak also spent some time talking about how to recognize which critter did which damage in our gardens so that we will know which animal we are dealing with. Moles, shrews, gophers, and mice can do damage in our yards and gardens but it is important to identify which animal we are dealing with. Following the presentation there were opportunities for questions and door prizes were awarded. If you missed it and are interested in more information check out both the Wisconsin and the Minnesota DNR websites. A garden has a curious innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion you are spending nothing. -Ester Meynell

4 Page 4 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News December 2015 Upcoming Events Annual Christmas Potluck Come to the annual ECAMGA Christmas potluck. Bring your dish to pass and join everyone in celebrating the season. The date is Tuesday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the UW Extension Office in Altoona. Bring your spouse or significant other and come join in the celebration. Among the evenings highlights will be the presentation of the 2015 Digger Award; the awarding of the prizes for the 2015 ECAMGA Photo Contest and the election of new board members. Games and door prizes will add to the festive atmosphere. Coffee and hot cider will be provided. So come and join the fun! H Upcoming Classes Whimsical Winter Miniature Garden Tea Party in the Greenhouse Saturday, December 12th & 19th 3:00 pm (pre-registration required), A wonderful miniature garden tea party in the greenhouse for grandparents, parents, and children. A lovely lunch of mini sandwiches, mini desserts and tea will be served! Children will create a mini whimsical wintery garden to take home and will read a poem all about fairies. Cost: $25.00/child & $15.00/adult; * Price of mini garden included in child ticket price. Limited to 30 people, so please call to register Arndt Lane, Eau Claire WI, or - home@dwntoearth.com Website: Garden Dreams A Saturday with the Portage County UW- Extension Master Gardener Volunteers January 9, :30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Lettie W. Jensen Community Center Amherst, WI Mark Dwyer, Director of Horticulture at Rotary Gardens Janesville: Creating A Pollinator s Paradise Diana Alfuth, UW-Extension Horticulture Educator in Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties: Indoor Gardening and Houseplants Mark Dwyer, Director of Horticulture at Rotary Gardens, Janesville: Sensational Shrubbery Ray Campbell, Nationally recognized and Multiple- Award-Winning Water Feature Expert serving in the Twin Cities area: Pond Magic Seminar Fee is $30, which includes a catered hot lunch. Registration Deadline is Wednesday, January 6, Public Welcome space is limited so register soon! Make checks payable to PCMGV. Mail Check & Registration Form (Name, address, Phone and address) to Garden Dreams Union Street Stevens Point, WI Questions? mhrice@charter.net. Call or text For a copy of the brochure and more details you may also go to: and click on the Upcoming Events tab and scroll down to the January 9, 2016 date. Winter Porch Pot Classes: DEC 3rd 6:00pm & DEC 5th 10:00am - ***Class Materials fee $30.00*** Winter Miniature Garden Class: DEC 5th 1:00pm & DEC 19th 10:00am - ***Class fee is materials used*** May s Floral Garden 3424 Jeffers Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54701

5 Page 5 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News December 2015 Give the gift that keeps on giving all summer long - to your gardening friends a ticket to the Winter Garden Seminar!!!!

6 Page 6 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener News December 2015 Bits and Pieces Christmas, Then and Now by the Foxy Lady Why can t Christmas be like when we were kids? We were so excited, circling toys we wanted from the Sears catalog, hoping Santa would honor our requests. An old unmatched sock would be hung on the doorknob for Santa to fill. We were excited to find an orange or a shiny red apple on Christmas morning. Fresh fruit was a treat for us. When my kids were little, I put a shiny red apple in their stockings. They looked at me the next morning like they thought Santa had dropped below the poverty level and only could afford an apple for kid s stockings. On Christmas Eve we would all go to church. The kids would be dressed in long robes to re-enact the nativity. One of my dolls was the baby Jesus. I had my doubts that she looked much like the baby Jesus, but it worked. Of course one of us forgot our lines and began to cry, which sent the audience into fits of laughter. There was a huge Christmas tree with gifts for all the children. Santa came and gave all the kids candy. (He looked and sounded strangely like my Dad.) Christmas morning finally came with the toys I wanted under the tree. Relatives began to arrive that morning for noon lunch. I know now that Mom struggled to afford and fix the meal for 20 or more relatives, but she still managed to provide a delicious feast. The day was filled with talk and laughter. At about 3:00 p.m. Mom pulled out the leftovers. The leftover turkey was placed in the middle of the table and everyone began to pull off the remaining pieces in a barbaric fashion, which I found funny after the fashionable way in which it was served at lunch. After most of the food and all the pie was gone, everyone left for home. It was chore time and everyone was in a hurry to get the milking done and chickens fed. Today Christmas begins the day after Halloween. The stores are filled with Christmas joy. The TV ads fill the children with ideas of the newest electric gadgets, dolls that walk and talk to you; Barbie s newest 2-piece bikini swimsuit, and stuffed animals that actually bark and Thanksgiving is often overlooked in the rush to take advantage of the all night Christmas sales at Target or Wal-Mart. Christmas Day comes after a month of shopping, cleaning house, baking, gift wrapping --- Oh the stress of it all! But, I have to admit, after all that stress, the day usually brings a sense of love and peace for all. Then comes after Christmas sales, gift returns, and bill paying. More stress. DO you want to know my favorite month of the year? January! The month is long, cold and boring. I dress in my new fleece sweat shirt, get out one of my new books (received for Christmas) and watch it snow and blow, knowing I have nowhere to go and nothing to do but dream of the spring to come.

7 Page 7 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener December 2015 Some Christmas and winter decoration ideas as per The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis DMCR

8 Page 8 Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Newsletter December 2015 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners and their families! May your Christmas be filled with all the wonder of the season and may all fondest gardening dreams come true in 2016! EAU CLAIRE AREA MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER A newsletter for the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association members. Unless otherwise noted, articles for this newsletter are submitted and/or written by ECAMGA members or the newsletter editor, Carol W. Cox. Unless otherwise noted, graphics are from clipart. Newsletter layout by Carol W. Cox For more Eau Claire County UW Cooperative Extension information go to our website: Phone: Fax: M-F 8AM-5PM The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status. If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity or service, please contact Erin LaFaive at as soon as possible preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be made in a timely fashion Eau Claire County Extension Office 227 First Street West Altoona, WI 54720