Environmental Manager Adam Mann, MS provides input on the recent Washington Post article “In the shadow of Dulles Airport: The hunt for a threatened bat.”

Our staff made big headlines recently when the Washington Post published an article following a night in the life of a bat biologist. Washington Post reporters were out all night with our crew, following our staff around as they checked mist nets deployed for the Silver Line rail yard and maintenance facility project near Dulles Airport. Over the course of the evening, the reporters had the opportunity to see a bat our biologists captured in a mist net. The article also describes GAI staff safety precautions, from wearing personal protective equipment to using insect repellent.

The recent listing of the Northern Long-eared Bat as a federally threatened species means that bat surveys, including mist net surveys, need to be completed in many regions where none were needed in the past. This change has taken many project proponents by surprise. Our clients often face challenging situations where they need consultations and surveys to be done quickly. We were able to assist this particular client to complete the bat survey in time to meet their construction schedule. The article is a great example of our staff at work to assist a client with a high-profile project.

For more information on bat surveys, contact Adam at 859.647.6647.