“Bats in the Verde Valley” Speaker Series Topic

Sedona, AZ (May 11,2011) – “Bats in the Verde Valley” will be the topic at Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc.’s award winning monthly Preserving the Wonder™ Speaker Series on Wednesday, May 18^th.  The doors will open with wine and snacks at 5:30 pm, and the presentation will begin at 5:45 pm.

According to Bat Conservation International, “Bats are essential to the health of our natural world.  They help control pests and are vital pollinators and seed-dispersers for countless plants.  Yet these wonderfully diverse and beneficial creatures are among the least studied and most misunderstood of animals.”

Come join the fun at Keep Sedona Beautiful and discover what bat species swoop and soar above your head in our night skies.  U.S. Forest Service Wildlife Biologist, Janie Agyagos will talk about the numerous bat species found right here in Sedona and the Verde Valley.  She will discuss their many benefits to our unique ecosystem as well as their survival requirements.  Janie will also reveal how biologists survey and study bats in their habitat.

Bats don’t have it easy.  Their reputation as flying mice and an affiliation with things that “go bump in the night” does not help.  Have bats driven you “batty” by “hanging” around your house?  Come learn how to safely exclude bats from an unwanted roost location.

Janie Agyagos currently works on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest where she has served as district wildlife biologist since 1994.  Janie’s main duties include inventorying and monitoring special status plant, fish and wildlife species; designing and implementing habitat improvement projects; managing area closures for the protection of rare fish, wildlife and plant species and/or their habitat; conducting project effect analyses and consultations; and coordinating with multiple agencies in the management of plant, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat.  In 2010, Janie received the third Norman B. Herkenham Award for Native Plant Landscaping, which is presented by Keep Sedona Beautiful annually at its Native Plant Workshop held each spring.

Keep Sedona Beautiful welcomes the community and visitors alike to its free monthly Preserving the Wonder™ Speaker Series, which takes place at its historic Pushmataha Center on 360 Brewer Road in Sedona.  Held the third Wednesday each month from September to June, typically beginning at 5:30 pm with wine and cheese, the award-winning series presents an interesting diversity of programs relevant to the unique environment of our region.  Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that, by acting through the stewardship of its members and volunteers, is committed to protecting and sustaining the unique scenic beauty and natural environment of the Greater Sedona Area.  For more information on Keep Sedona Beautiful, please call 928.282.4938.