San Diego Management & Monitoring ProgramThe Living Coast Discovery Center, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cabrillo National Monument, and the San Diego National History Museum will conduct surveys to determine bat species composition on and around the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The primary goals of this project are to establish permanent survey locations within Sweetwater Marsh, to contribute to the data collection in regional bat studies, and to establish site-specific bat habitat threat reduction and management plan based on the survey results. Strong historical research suggests that the pallid bat is likely utilizing Sweetwater Marsh for foraging and roosting at this time, This project will enable the Living Coast to contribute to larger regional conservation efforts, working with USFWS to improve the management of Sweetwater Marsh to mitigate environmental threats to the pallid bat, and contribute to the general public's greater awareness of local MSP species in San Diego. Funding this program will significantly leverage SANDAG's conservation efforts by awardee- The San Diego National History Museum- funded by Environmental Mitigation Program funds.
Project type: Monitoring-Animals
Target species: Pallid bat
Main implementing entity: The Living Coast Discovery Center
Partner: Cabrillo National Monument, National Park Sevice; San Diego Natural History Museum; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Project Page manager: Sarah McCutcheon
SDMMP lead: Kris Preston
Study lead: Ben Vallejos