Eco TrailBlazer - Emily Stanford

A 26-year-old biologist from Texas shares her passion for bats, sparked by a chance encounter. She received a Thomas J Watson Fellowship to study global perceptions of bats and their impact on conservation. Bats are often misunderstood, associated with myths and diseases, yet they play crucial ecological roles in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. The biologist discusses human-bat conflicts, particularly with farmers, and highlights solutions that balance conservation with livelihoods. She addresses threats to bat populations, including habitat loss and white nose syndrome, and emphasizes the importance of education and conservation efforts to change perceptions and protect bats.

What inspired the biologist to study bats?

• A childhood fascination with animals

• A grant from a university

• An encounter with bats in a bat hole

• A documentary about bats

How do bats contribute to agriculture?

• By spreading fertilizers

• By eating crop pests

• By building nests in fields

• By providing milk

Why are bats often misunderstood?

• They live in remote areas

• They are nocturnal and rarely seen

• They are aggressive towards humans

• They are too small to notice

What solution was found to resolve conflicts between farmers and bats in Australia?

• Using pesticides

• Building bat sanctuaries

• Installing fine netting over crops

• Relocating bats to other areas

What is one of the major threats to bat populations mentioned in the video?

• Overfishing

• Noise pollution

• White-nose syndrome

• Air pollution

What is a simple way individuals can help bat conservation?

• Capturing bats for research

• Planting more trees

• Building bat houses

• Feeding bats in the wild

What is a unique trait of bats compared to other mammals?

• They can hibernate

• They can swim

• They can fly

• They can change colors