Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats

with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Scientists

2024-10-02 14:00:00 2024-10-02 15:00:00 America/New_York 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! EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room

Wednesday, October 02
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2024-10-02 14:00:00 2024-10-02 15:00:00 America/New_York 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! EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room

EPL Virtual

Virtual Meeting Room

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

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.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Author Talks |

TAGS: | |

EPL Virtual


Hours

EPL Virtual

 

Today's hours

Closed

Mon, Sep 30 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Oct 01 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Oct 02 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Oct 03 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Oct 04 9:30AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 05 9:30AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Oct 06 Closed

Address
,

About the branch

EPL Virtual is the online gathering space for all of the library's virtual events hosted through Zoom.

Upcoming Events

Sun, Oct 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
A hands-on celebration of Afro-Peruvian music and its main instrument the cajón.

Mon, Oct 07, 10:00am - 11:00am
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Please join us online via Zoom, once a month, to connect with other readers for a lively book discussion!

Mon, Oct 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 20 months. 

Mon, Oct 07, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Come and hear some fun stories!

Mon, Oct 07, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
A relaxing hour of gentle yoga.

Mon, Oct 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Clara Barton - Second Floor
One-on-one tech help sessions

Tue, Oct 08, 12:00pm - 1:15pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join Rev. Holly Onorato who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Tue, Oct 08, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Life aboard a Civil War Ironclad.

Tue, Oct 08, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
If you have a chronic condition such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or other please join us!

Tue, Oct 08, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Work together to steal the honey in this co-op game!

Tue, Oct 08, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EPL Virtual
Ever thought about having a meal prep party?
Register

Tue, Oct 08, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Waterford Condo Association Board Meeting

Wed, Oct 09, 11:00am - 11:30am
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Songs, rhymes, and stories introduce our youngest family members to the library and early literacy skills.

Wed, Oct 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Do you dig awesome art and stories that come alive with BANGS and WHAMS? Then join The Graphic Novel Guild, the coolest place for kids who love graphic novels!

Wed, Oct 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Join us for a meeting of the Friends of the Edison Public Library to discuss the next steps for the group.

Wed, Oct 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
North Edison Branch
Share your ideas, experiences, thoughts or just come to listen and learn. This is an open format of sharing and discussion. We will have a facilitator for this in-person workshop.

Wed, Oct 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
You’re invited to free your mind with the highly acclaimed Silvia Moreno-Garcia, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author.
Register

Thu, Oct 10, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Come and hear some fun stories with your toddlers!

Thu, Oct 10, 11:00am - 11:15am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months. 

Thu, Oct 10, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch
Come join the Clara Barton Knitting Circle every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at the Clara Barton Branch Library!

Thu, Oct 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
NJ SHARES is a nationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides statewide assistance and referral for families who need help paying energy, water, and telephone bills.

Thu, Oct 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Find out what Paranormal creature you are and play some fun games.

Fri, Oct 11, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Health Insurance Navigators are available to assist residents with enrolling in a health insurance plan through GetCoveredNJ or NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid)

Fri, Oct 11, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Come learn about Tai Chi and its basic movements with Alex Spiewak from Tai Chi USA.

Sat, Oct 12, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join us for a showing of Hotel Transylvania (2012, Rated PG, 91 min, Columbia Pictures Industries Inc.)

Sat, Oct 12, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Explore your creativity and strengthen your building skills with LEGO® challenges for ages 6 - 11!

Mon, Oct 14, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 20 months. 

Mon, Oct 14, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Come and hear some fun stories!

Mon, Oct 14, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
A community art project.

Tue, Oct 15, 10:00am - 11:00am
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Books, coffee, and good conversation!

Tue, Oct 15, 11:00am - 11:45am
Main Library - Makers Space
Have fun getting to know the ABCs!

Tue, Oct 15, 12:00pm - 1:15pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join Rev. Holly Onorato who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Tue, Oct 15, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
If you have a chronic condition such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or other please join us!

Tue, Oct 15, 3:00pm - 4:45pm
Main Library - Makers Space
We're breaking out our Nintendo Switch for some gaming fun!

Wed, Oct 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
We're welcoming a few special guests to the library: Edison Firefighters!

Wed, Oct 16, 11:30am - 12:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Toddlers will learn new motor skills as they create amazing works of art. Description Dress for mess. .

Wed, Oct 16, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
A Nurse Educator from Hackensack Meridian Health will discuss and its various risk factors.

Wed, Oct 16, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join us for a fun and engaging Halloween craft that will light up your neighborhood!

Wed, Oct 16, 6:15pm - 8:15pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Basic English Class

Wed, Oct 16, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
The starting point for teen volunteering at the Library. TAB gives teens a platform to direct and shape services and volunteer opportunities at the Edison Public Library.

Thu, Oct 17, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Come and hear some fun stories with your toddlers!

Thu, Oct 17, 11:00am - 11:15am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months. 

Thu, Oct 17, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch
Come join the Clara Barton Knitting Circle every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at the Clara Barton Branch Library!

Thu, Oct 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Medicine and Surgery of the American Revolution.

Thu, Oct 17, 4:15pm - 4:45pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join our STEAM club and embark on a monthly adventure!

Thu, Oct 17, 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Let's draw!

Thu, Oct 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
EPL Virtual
Register

Thu, Oct 17, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Edison Municipal Complex - Council Chambers
The Edison Township Public Library’s Board of Trustees Meetings are open to the public.

Fri, Oct 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
We're welcoming a few special guests to the library: Edison Firefighters!

Fri, Oct 18, 12:45pm - 3:15pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Digital Literacy class

Sat, Oct 19, 10:00am - 1:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Joining Toastmasters allows you to build the skills to become a more confident public speaker and stronger leader in every area of your life.

Mon, Oct 21, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 20 months. 

Mon, Oct 21, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Come and hear some fun stories!

Mon, Oct 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
A relaxing hour of gentle yoga.

Mon, Oct 21, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Find out what Paranormal creature you are!

Mon, Oct 21, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Twist and bend your imagination to create not-so-spooky colorful craft with paper and pipe cleaners.

Tue, Oct 22, 10:00am - 11:00am
Clara Barton - Second Floor
One-on-one tech help sessions

Tue, Oct 22, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Let your imagination run wild!

Tue, Oct 22, 12:00pm - 1:15pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join Rev. Holly Onorato who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Tue, Oct 22, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
If you have a chronic condition such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or other please join us!

Tue, Oct 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Join us as Lori Gottlieb shares her wisdom on examining the truths and fictions we tell ourselves to help us break through what is holding us back and getting in the way of living the life we desire.
Register

Tue, Oct 22, 3:00pm - 4:45pm
Main Library - Makers Space
We're breaking out our Nintendo Switch for some gaming fun!

Wed, Oct 23, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Stories, songs, and crafts celebrating spooky season.

Wed, Oct 23, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Presented by Angela Juffey.

Wed, Oct 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
North Edison Branch - Children's Room
Work together to steal the honey in this co-op game!

Wed, Oct 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Celebrate your love of Pokémon with fun crafts, games, and, of course, Pokémon card trading!

Wed, Oct 23, 6:15pm - 8:15pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Basic English Class

Thu, Oct 24, All day
North Edison Branch
Find all the ghosts haunting the library and get a prize!

Thu, Oct 24, 11:00am - 11:15am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months. 

Thu, Oct 24, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch
Come join the Clara Barton Knitting Circle every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at the Clara Barton Branch Library!

Thu, Oct 24, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Friends of the Edison Public Library Members-Only Pre-sale

Fri, Oct 25, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Showing "Young Frankenstein" starring Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, and Cloris Leachman.

Fri, Oct 25, 10:00am - 8:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Support the Edison Public Library while treating yourself to a few new-to-you books and some tasty treats.

Fri, Oct 25, 12:45pm - 3:15pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Digital Literacy class

Sat, Oct 26, 10:00am - 5:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Support the Edison Public Library while treating yourself to a few new-to-you books and some tasty treats.

Sat, Oct 26, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join us for a special Diwali program at the library.

Sat, Oct 26, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Children's Floor
Enter at your own risk as we tell the chilling story of how the Edison Public Library became the Edison HAUNTED Library!

Mon, Oct 28, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 20 months. 

Mon, Oct 28, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Come and hear some fun stories!

Mon, Oct 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
North Edison Branch
Let's make colorful friendship bracelets of yarn without a needle. AGES 7 - 11

Mon, Oct 28, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library
The starting point for teen volunteering at the Library. TAB gives teens a platform to direct and shape services and volunteer opportunities at the Edison Public Library.

Tue, Oct 29, 10:00am - 1:30pm
North Edison Branch - Children's Room
Aetna member benefits information session

Tue, Oct 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
NJ SHARES is a nationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides statewide assistance and referral for families who need help paying energy, water, and telephone bills.

Tue, Oct 29, 11:00am - 11:45am
Main Library - Makers Space
Have fun getting to know the ABCs!

Tue, Oct 29, 12:00pm - 1:15pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join Rev. Holly Onorato who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Tue, Oct 29, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
If you have a chronic condition such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or other please join us!

Tue, Oct 29, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Main Library - Programming Room
Meet in-person for a lively chat about this month's book.

Tue, Oct 29, 3:00pm - 4:45pm
Main Library - Makers Space
We're breaking out our Nintendo Switch for some gaming fun!

Tue, Oct 29, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Since the 1980s when near death experiences became part of the public consciousness, they have held endless attraction for people. Why do they resonate so powerfully within us?

Wed, Oct 30, 2:00pm - 4:15pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Showing "Knives Out" starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Michael Shannon.

Wed, Oct 30, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
North Edison Branch - Children's Room
Learn about poetry and write some horror themed poetry!

Wed, Oct 30, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Get into the Halloween spirit with a visit to the library!

Wed, Oct 30, 6:15pm - 8:15pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Basic English Class

Wed, Oct 30, 7:30pm - 8:45pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room,Children's Room
What happens when Halloween and Diwali fall on the same night?

Thu, Oct 31, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Makers Space
Come and hear some fun stories with your toddlers!

Thu, Oct 31, 11:00am - 11:15am
Main Library - Makers Space
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months. 

Thu, Oct 31, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Main Library
Come trick-or-treat in the library!

Thu, Oct 31, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch
Come join the Clara Barton Knitting Circle every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at the Clara Barton Branch Library!

Thu, Oct 31, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
North Edison Branch
Join us for games, fun and a costume contest with prizes!

Thu, Oct 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library
Come trick-or-treat in the library!

Fri, Nov 01, 12:45pm - 3:15pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Digital Literacy class

Sat, Nov 02, 10:00am - 1:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Joining Toastmasters allows you to build the skills to become a more confident public speaker and stronger leader in every area of your life.

Sat, Nov 02, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Help is available during GetCoveredNJ Open Enrollment Period (November 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025)

Sat, Nov 02, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Make personalized fall inspired art.

Mon, Nov 04, 10:00am - 11:00am
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Please join us online via Zoom, once a month, to connect with other readers for a lively book discussion!

Mon, Nov 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Clara Barton - Second Floor
One-on-one tech help sessions

Tue, Nov 05, 11:00am - 11:45am
Main Library - Makers Space
Have fun getting to know the ABCs!