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A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats

with Scientists from Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

2024-10-02 13:00:00 2024-10-02 14:00:00 America/Chicago A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats Join us in kicking off October as we welcome three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists to teach us about the remarkable world of tropical bats! Please register. Virtual -

Wednesday, October 02
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Add to Calendar 2024-10-02 13:00:00 2024-10-02 14:00:00 America/Chicago A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats Join us in kicking off October as we welcome three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists to teach us about the remarkable world of tropical bats! Please register. Virtual -

Join us in kicking off October as we welcome three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists to teach us about the remarkable world of tropical bats! Please register.

For decades, scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have studied the remarkable biodiversity of bats on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, where an astonishing seventy-six species coexist. Now, for the first time, Smithsonian scientists’ expertise pairs with the stunning photography of National Geographic contributor Christian Ziegler for a captivating visual journey into the fascinating world of these elusive night creatures, to bring you the book Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats.

Bats are unique among mammals: they have acquired true flight, they provide essential ecosystem services, and represent the ecologically most diverse group of mammals worldwide. Synthesizing decades-worth of intensive study, Drs. Rachel Page, Dina Dechmann, Teague O’Mara, and Marco Tschapka provide authoritative insight alongside 150 photographs that showcase bats’ extraordinary environmental adaptations and rich natural history.

This presentation will cover topics from the book, such as the diverse sensory abilities of bats, their foraging strategies, roosting ecologies, and social systems. Bat Island presents decades of study of the hyper diverse bat population on Barro Colorado Island in addition to the most comprehensive and long-term datasets on tropical bats. The book and this presentation highlights how bats are threatened by habitat fragmentation and land degradation, and communicate the initiatives needed to ensure the survival of these animals, which are critical to maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems.

And let’s not forget, the award-winning photojournalist Christian Ziegler’s photography as the images within the book illuminate the unique beauty and allure of bats and the tropical rainforest in Panama. Register now for this rare look into Bat Island! 



About the Presenters: 

Dr. Rachel A. Page
 is a staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, where she leads the Smithsonian Bat Lab (www.noseleaf.org). She is broadly interested in animal behavior, but her focus is understanding the sensory and cognitive tools bats use to navigate their worlds and interact with each other. After completing a BA at Columbia University and a PhD at the University of Texas at Austin, Page conducted postdoctoral research as an Alexander von Humboldt fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen, Germany. Page has studied bats on Barro Colorado Island and the surrounding areas for over two decades. She has a passion for understanding rich, tropical ecosystems and the myriad species interactions they encompass. In addition to conducting her own research, Page mentors a large group of students. Page lives at the edge of the rainforest in Gamboa, Panama.

Dr. Dina K. N. Dechmann is a group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (www.ab.mpg.de/dechmann) and a research associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. An evolutionary ecologist by training, her main research interest is how animals adapt to fluctuations in the resources upon which they depend. She is fascinated by how tiny mammals with fast metabolisms, such as bats and shrews, adapt their morphology, physiology, and behavior to deal with the bottlenecks created by changes in the food landscape. She works in ecosystems across the world, but since her first visit to BCI in 2000, she has been struck by the diversity of the tropical bat community, which remains a cornerstone of her research. She received her master’s degree at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich followed by a PhD at the University of Zurich and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin. Since she was hired by Max Planck in 2009, she has had the good fortune to supervise a group of brilliant young minds, several of whom now run their own projects in Panama. Dechmann lives in the medieval town of Stein am Rhein in Switzerland.

Dr. M. Teague O’Mara is the Director of Conservation Evidence at Bat Conservation International, where he works on data-driven strategies for the conservation of global bat populations. O’Mara has studied animal behavior, movement, and physiology across the globe, with an emphasis on bats in Panama. He is a research associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, and an adjunct professor at Southeastern Louisiana University. He received his PhD from Arizona State University studying lemur development and social behavior, and then switched to research with bats during postdoctoral work at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the University of Konstanz, and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany. He lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.


Please Register for link to program.


Live Virtual Author Talks - This new series through Library Speakers Consortium offers live online talks by bestselling authors of books in a variety of genres. Participants receive a link to the program when they register. Please see https://libraryc.org/gailborden to register and also view recorded videos of past speakers.

AGE GROUP: | Virtual Live | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Nature & Science | Adult Programs |

TAGS: | |

Virtual

Phone: 847-742-2411

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 9:00PM

Mon, Oct 14 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Oct 15 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Oct 16 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Oct 17 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Oct 18 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 19 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Oct 20 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

Programs presented virtually through FB, Zoom, YouTube, and other online sources.

Upcoming Events

Mon, Oct 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
Main Library - Conference Room
A special interest group that encourages and assists with writing family stories and histories. Participants share their stories for help with ideas, clarification, and resources.

Cancelled
Mon, Oct 14, 10:00am - 1:00pm
South Elgin Branch
Check out the Bookmobile while the South Elgin branch is under construction

Mon, Oct 14, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
New to computers or need a refresher on how to get started? Learn how to use the mouse and keyboard, pick up basic computer skills and browse the internet in this series. Sponsored by Comcast.
Registration is now closed

Mon, Oct 14, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Join us for a bilingual Magic Show! El Mago will entertain everyone with his tricks for all ages. Presented in English and Spanish.

Cancelled
Mon, Oct 14, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Main Library
Come, learn and practice Spanish! Intermediate level participants will practice conversations in Spanish by doing activities in the library or visiting places in the community.

Mon, Oct 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Rakow Branch
There's no school today! Drop in and join in with others to learn some new techniques and drawing trends and just...draw!

Mon, Oct 14, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Old Oaks Estates – 850 Villa St. – corner of Nancy Ann & Suzanne Ln. – Elgin 60120 – 3:00-3:45

Mon, Oct 14, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Huff Elementary – Hastings St. near the school – Elgin 60120 – 4:00-4:45

Mon, Oct 14, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: St. Francis Park – near Jefferson and Spring Streets – Elgin 60120 – 5:00-5:45

Mon, Oct 14, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Grove Room
Get hooked on crocheting! Bring a project to work on. All skill levels welcome. Please Register
This event is full

Mon, Oct 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Conference Room,Info Serv - Zoom
Co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women Elgin Area Branch. Click on the event title for a list of assigned books. Facilitated by Barbara Njus and Gail Cohen. Please Register.

Tue, Oct 15, 9:15am - 10:00am
Main Library - Story Room
Join us for a delightful time where babies and toddlers can explore, play, and socialize in a supportive setting. This is also a great time for parents to network and share parenting tips.

Tue, Oct 15, 9:15am - 9:45am
Rakow Branch
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime. Ages 1-3 years old with adult caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Oct 15, 10:00am - 10:30am
Rakow Branch - Shales - Living Room
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime. Ages 1-3 years old with adult caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Oct 15, 10:45am - 11:15am
Rakow Branch
Preschoolers will enjoy stories, songs, and activities. Ages 3-5 years old
Registration is now closed

Tue, Oct 15, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Drop in for a consultation with a Career Coach from workNet Batavia! Service available in Spanish. No registration required. Asesor de carrera disponible en español. No hay registro.

Tue, Oct 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Music appreciation with acclaimed Composer and Music Researcher Jim Kendros. Enjoy dynamic, enjoyable and highly informative presentations on some of the great composers and their music. Register

Tue, Oct 15, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
TechKnow Mobile Stop: Greater Family Health- 373 Summit Street- Elgin IL 60120

Tue, Oct 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rakow Branch - Shales - Living Room
Do you enjoy gardening? Do you have questions or information to share about flower, herb, or vegetable gardening? If so, join our garden chat on the third Tuesday of each month.

Tue, Oct 15, 2:15pm - 3:00pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Lin Lor Lane – corner of Lin Lor Ln. & Airlite St. - Elgin 60123 – 2:15-3:00

Tue, Oct 15, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Powder River Park - 1985 Powder River Path – Elgin – 60123 – 3:00-3:45

Tue, Oct 15, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Deer Pointe Drive, South Elgin 60177 – 4:00-4:45

Tue, Oct 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Sally Lee Fox Room
Help out your library and your community by working together on volunteer projects. Grades 6-8. Registration required for each date. One Volunteens Application required for the 2024-2025 school year.

Tue, Oct 15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Grove Room
Participantes de nivel intermedio, practican conversaciones en inglés, adquieren confianza y mejoran su pronunciación. El grupo es liderado por un tutor de Literacy Connection. Favor registrarse
Registration is now closed

Tue, Oct 15, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
In this series, learn how to use Microsoft Excel to manipulate, format, and organize numbers and other types of data. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.
Registration is now closed