SD GFP NEWS FOR 7-16-09

 

 

It’s Summertime, But the Living Isn’t Necessarily Easy For Bats

 

PIERRE, S.D. - Summer is a time for fun and relaxation. It’s also a period when bats and people may clash, usually to the detriment of bats.

 

At a time when we’re aggravated by mosquitoes and concerned about the diseases they carry, bats should be our heroes.

 

South Dakota bats eat an enormous quantity of flying insects, including mosquitoes and many forest and agricultural pests. Bats sorely need a better public relations image, since many myths about them are readily accepted as fact.

 

Particularly at this time of year, bats need a little indulgence and compassion to get them through an important and challenging summer breeding season.

 

The most common bat species in South Dakota form maternity colonies, composed of a small group of females with their single young, called pups. Female bats benefit from roosting together, and they often use the same roost year after year. This traditional attachment to the roost adds to a homeowner’s challenge if the roost happens to be in an attic or other structure.

 

Many homeowners want a quick and permanent fix to a complex situation. If your home hosts a maternity roost, it is difficult and even unwise to attempt to evict the tenants until after the pups are independent of their mothers. Simply killing adults or closing entry points during the summer may make the situation worse. Young bats awaiting the return of their mothers may be forced to leave the safety of the roost in search of the adults, possibly traveling into your living space. They may also die in the walls or vents during their searching.

 

What about poisoning all of the bats? This is a dangerous and irresponsible course of action. Bats are mammals like us, and poisons that kill bats may readily harm people and their pets. Poisoning may not kill all the bats, leaving sick bats to be encountered by children and pets. In addition, no poison is legal for use against bats in South Dakota.

 

Homeowners should not assume that all pest control companies are knowledgeable about safe, humane, and effective bat exclusion.

 

Any method that involves killing adult bats at a potential maternity roost during the summer should be viewed with skepticism. Even if dealing with a roost that isn’t a maternity colony, exclusion can be done without killing bats by following some simple techniques. Exclusion involves identifying likely entrances and sealing all but one entrance to assure that all bats have left the structure. The final entrance is then sealed and the structure monitored at dusk to see if bats are still entering and exiting the structure.

 

If a maternity roost is suspected, bat exclusion should be done prior to or after the breeding season. A safe window for bat exclusion is before mid-May and after Sept. 1. Specific instructions for conducting safe and effective bat exclusion can be found at the South Dakota Bat Working Group Web site: http://nathist.sdstate.edu/SDBWG/SDBWG.html

 

 

A recent incident in the Pierre area highlights the vulnerability of bats in maternity roosts.

 

Females with dependent pups were killed or wounded with BB guns at a state nature area. Besides violating the law, the individuals harmed a group of beneficial pest eaters.

 

The Parks Division of GFP reminds the public that no firearms, including BB and pellet guns, are allowed in certain nature areas. Visitors must be aware of regulations at sites they visit, since possession of firearms is allowed in some areas but not others.

 

 

                                              -GFP-

 

 

Weekend events scheduled for S.D. state parks

PIERRE, S.D. - Visitors to South Dakota state parks across the state will have a chance to take part in a variety of special family activities at the end of July. These free activities are a great way for people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors.

Make plans to attend the following events:

There is no cost to participate in any of these programs; however, a park entrance license is required. These programs are held in addition to regular programming hosted by individual parks on summer weekends.

The Walk in the Park program is part of a series of educational, guided hikes held throughout the year in South Dakota state parks, recreation areas and nature preserves. Parks staff and volunteers lead the programs. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, to dress for the weather, and to remember to bring bug spray and plenty of drinking water.

For more information on S.D. state parks and a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.

 - GFP -

 

Newton Hills to Host Annual Sioux River Folk Music Festival

CANTON, S.D. - Newton Hills State Park is preparing for three days of music, dancing and family fun during the annual Sioux River Folk Festival. The festival starts Friday, July 31, and runs through Sunday, August 2.

The festival kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. with performances by Snakebeard Jackson, Dave Moore, the Quebe Sisters Band and Peter Wernick & Flexigrass.

The entertainment line-up continues on Saturday at noon with shows by Jami Lynn & the Acquila Band, the Quebe Sisters Band, Chris Gage & Christina Albert, Peter Wernick & Flexigrass and Sioux Falls Ceili Band. During the dinner break at 5 p.m., a campground competition, "15 Minutes of Folk Fame," will be held on the stage to give all of those musicians a chance to compete and be heard by the entire crowd! For more information on the campground contest, please contact Sharon Gray at (605) 624-8833 or email info@fotm.org.

Music-inspired workshops will also be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. On Sunday, the festival features Groth Family Band and Peter Wernick & Flexigrass from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Advanced tickets are available through the following outlets: Garden of Eat'n in Canton and East Dakota Natural Foods Co-op in Sioux Falls. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate. Additional information is available online at www.fotm.org or by calling Gaynor at (605) 987-2582.

Newton Hills State Park is located six miles south of Canton along County Road 135 or 12 miles east of Exit 56 from I-29. A park entrance license is required on all vehicles entering the park. Daily and annual entrance licenses can be purchased at South Dakota state park offices or at the park welcome center.  

For more information on South Dakota state parks and for a calendar of events, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.

-GFP-

 

Farm Island Recreation Area to Host Sprint Triathlon August 1

PIERRE, S.D. - Triathletes can get their hearts pumping at the annual Riverman/Riverwoman Sprint Triathlon on Aug. 1, held at Farm Island Recreation Area near Pierre.

The race includes a 0.4-mile swim along the beach, 18 miles of biking along SD Highway 34 and a 3.5-mile run on the island trail. For safety reasons, bicycle helmets and brightly colored skullcaps are required.

The competition will be divided into several divisions with separate classes for men, women and teams. Medals will be awarded to the top two finishers in each division. 

Registration and check-in is from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. at the swim beach. Entries will not be accepted after registration has closed. The rules meeting will be at 7:40 a.m. The race will start immediately following the rules meeting. Participants are required to attend this meeting; those who do not attend will not be able to participate. Registration is $30 for an individual and $60 per team. The registration form and race map are available online at www.SDparks.info or by contacting the park office. Participants can also register the morning of the event.

Farm Island Recreation Area is located four miles east of Pierre off SD Highway 34. A park entrance license is required of all vehicles entering the park. Daily and annual park entrance licenses will be available for purchase at the park.

For more information on the event, contact Gianna Harty at Farm Island at (605) 773-2885. For more information on South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDpark.info or call (605) 773-3391.

-GFP-

 

State Parks Host Outdoor Activities

PIERRE, S.D. - Several state parks and recreation areas are hosting outdoor events and educational programs for their visitors on Aug. 1. These activities are a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

There is no cost to participate in any of these programs, except the triathlon. A park entrance license is required for all vehicles entering the park.

For more information on activities in S.D. state parks, visit www.SDparks.info, contact the individual park office, or call (605) 773-3391.

- GFP -

 

State Parks Near Yankton Host Outdoor Activities

PIERRE, S.D. - Families visiting Chief White Crane and Lewis and Clark Recreation Areas have the opportunity to enjoy unique activities on July 31 and Aug. 1. The entertaining and educational events are excellent opportunities to enjoy a great day outdoors in nature.

For more information on these events contact the park office at (605) 668-2985. The programs are open to all ages. There is no cost to participate in any of these activities, although a park entrance license is required.

For more information on activities in S.D. state parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.

- GFP -