White Nose Syndrome, a fungal disease first identified in North America in the winter of 2006, has been devastating bat populations across the continent. The fungus disrupts the bats' hibernation, causing them to wake more frequently and deplete their essential fat reserves. This disruption often leads to starvation, dehydration, and exposure, resulting in the death of many affected bats. Given bats' crucial role in controlling pests, their declining populations in New York State could have severe environmental impacts.
To counteract this potential catastrophe, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has partnered with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Bat Conservation International on a project aimed at helping bats survive the winter.
“We were already involved in a research project with EPRI concerning bats,” said Lew, manager of NYPA’s right-of-ways—land strips used for power lines. “We installed bat boxes along the edges of our right-of-way corridors to see if the bats would utilize them. Since we were already engaged in bat research, this new project was a natural fit for us.”
Many of NYPA’s right-of-way corridors are located near bat hibernacula (hibernation shelters) and have become natural habitats for insects due to the maintenance of these areas. This setting was ideal for the Power Authority to participate in the "Fat Bat" program, which involves placing artificial light sources in and around the right-of-way corridors to attract insects, creating a feeding ground for foraging bats.
“White Nose Syndrome doesn’t directly kill the bats,” explained Andrew, an environmental scientist with NYPA. “It indirectly kills them by waking them during hibernation. They fly around, find nothing to eat, and starve. Studies show that the more fat reserves a bat has, the less likely it is to wake up prematurely.”
The project initially faced resistance from fish and wildlife organizations, concerned that the lights might disturb or deter the bats from feeding. However, the study demonstrated that the bats were not bothered by the lights.
“It’s similar to streetlights in your neighborhood,” Lew noted. “I remember seeing bats flying around streetlights in the evening as a kid. This project operates on the same principle.”
So far, the results have been promising, showing higher concentrations of insects and increased foraging activity.
“The data has been very favorable,” Andrew confirmed. “Bats foraging near the hibernacula with our lights have gained more fat and are returning in the spring to continue their lifecycle.”
For their efforts, Andrew and Lew recently received a Technology Transfer Award from EPRI. However, for them, the biggest reward comes from knowing the role they’re playing in NYPA’s ongoing campaign to be good stewards of the land and working for a stronger, more sustainable New York State.
“The way we manage the lands under our care is about more than safety and reliability,” Lew emphasized. “It’s about being responsible land managers and enhancing the ecosystem. This includes supporting not only the insects in our right-of-ways but also the animals that depend on them, from songbirds to bats. It’s about creating and maintaining a balanced, bio-rich ecosystem.”