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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


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EPL Virtual

 

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Mon, Dec 16 9:30AM to 9:00PM
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Fri, Dec 20 9:30AM to 6:00PM
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Sun, Dec 22 Closed

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About the branch

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

Upcoming Events

Sat, Dec 21, 9:45am - 2:00pm
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, Dec 21, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Help is available during GetCoveredNJ Open Enrollment Period (November 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025)

Sat, Dec 21, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join us for a fun afternoon filled with board games!

Sat, Dec 21, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Come learn to code in Python with WeMake 4-H!

Sun, Dec 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space

Mon, Dec 23, All day
Main Library
find the winter themed items hidden in the library!

Mon, Dec 23, 5:00pm - 6:15pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Join Joseph Parauda who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Mon, Dec 23, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Potential Special Board Meeting

Tue, Dec 24, All day
All Branches
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Wed, Dec 25, All day
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The Edison Public Library system is closed in observance of Christmas.

Thu, Dec 26, 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!

Fri, Dec 27, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Celebrate the New Year at... NOON!

Fri, Dec 27, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Join us for some pop culture trivia!

Mon, Dec 30, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
A relaxing hour of gentle yoga.
This event is full

Mon, Dec 30, 5:00pm - 6:15pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Join Joseph Parauda who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Tue, Dec 31, All day
All Branches
The Edison Public Library system is closed in observance of the New Year's Holiday.

Wed, Jan 01, All day
All Branches
The Edison Public Library system is closed in observance of the New Year's Holiday.

Thu, Jan 02, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Come join the Clara Barton Knitting Circle every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at the Clara Barton Branch Library!

Sat, Jan 04, 9:45am - 2:00pm
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, Jan 04, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Do you know all the answers on Jeopardy? Do you slay at Trivial Pursuit? Join us for a fact-filled trivia contest! Sign-up with your friends or family, or go solo.

Sat, Jan 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Come learn to code in the Edison Public Library's chapter of Girls Who Code!

Mon, Jan 06, All day
North Edison Branch
Stop in any of our branches to bring home a take and make craft.

Mon, Jan 06, All day
Clara Barton Branch
Stop in any of our branches to bring home a take and make craft.

Mon, Jan 06, 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, Jan 06, 10:00am - 10:30am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 20 months. 

Mon, Jan 06, 11:00am - 11:30am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Come and hear some fun stories!

Mon, Jan 06, 5:00pm - 6:15pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Join Joseph Parauda who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Tue, Jan 07, 10:30am - 12:35pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Showing "Fly Me to the Moon" starring Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Woody Harrelson, Anna Garcia, and Stephanie Kurtzuba.

Tue, Jan 07, 11:00am - 11:30am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Toddlers will learn new motor skills as they create amazing works of art. Description Dress for mess. .

Wed, Jan 08, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Bingo lovers, unite!

Wed, Jan 08, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
The outer world can be negative and stressful, so we need some way to leave it behind for a while to access the joy, calm, and peace that lies within each of us.

Wed, Jan 08, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EPL Virtual
Learn to make a hearty, classic soup, perfect for winter.
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Wed, Jan 08, 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, Jan 09, 10:00am - 10:30am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Come and hear some fun stories!

Thu, Jan 09, 11:00am - 11:20am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months. 

Thu, Jan 09, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Come join the Clara Barton Knitting Circle every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at the Clara Barton Branch Library!

Thu, Jan 09, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room
Come learn about Tai Chi and its basic movements with Alex Spiewak from Tai Chi USA.

Thu, Jan 09, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
North Edison Branch - Children's Room
Work together to make an artist piece to be put on display!

Fri, Jan 10, 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)

Sat, Jan 11, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Liberty States Fiction Writers meeting

Sat, Jan 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Learn how to save a life with Hands Only CPR
Registration opens Thursday, December 26 2024 at 9:30am

Sat, Jan 11, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Join to be cozy and warm by making colorful yarn crafts in this cold winter weather.

Sat, Jan 11, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Come learn to code in the Edison Public Library's chapter of Girls Who Code!

Mon, Jan 13, 10:00am - 10:30am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 20 months. 

Mon, Jan 13, 11:00am - 11:30am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Come and hear some fun stories!

Mon, Jan 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
A relaxing hour of gentle yoga.

Mon, Jan 13, 5:00pm - 6:15pm
North Edison Branch
Join Joseph Parauda who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.

Mon, Jan 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Join to be cozy and warm by making colorful yarn crafts in this cold winter weather.

Tue, Jan 14, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Clara Barton - Second Floor Tables
One-on-one tech help sessions

Tue, Jan 14, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
The Edison Township Public Library’s Board of Trustees Meetings are open to the public.

Tue, Jan 14, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EPL Virtual
Dive into the flavorful world of broth-making!
Register

Wed, Jan 15, 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, Jan 15, 11:00am - 12:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Join us for an entertaining morning of fun and games!

Wed, Jan 15, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Initial meeting of our non-fiction bookclub.

Wed, Jan 15, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Its the year of the snake- lets celebrate!

Wed, Jan 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Celebrate your love of Pokémon with fun crafts, games, and, of course, Pokémon card trading!

Wed, Jan 15, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Come have a magical moment with New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune as he chats about his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on his newest in the series, Somewhere Beyond the Sea.
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Thu, Jan 16, 10:00am - 10:30am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Come and hear some fun stories!

Thu, Jan 16, 11:00am - 11:20am
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Read simple books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months. 

Thu, Jan 16, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Clara Barton Branch - Meeting Room
Come join the Clara Barton Knitting Circle every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at the Clara Barton Branch Library!

Thu, Jan 16, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Lets discuss the year that past and make plans for this year!

Fri, Jan 17, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Main Library - Makers Space
Health Insurance Navigators are available to assist residents with enrolling in a health insurance plan through GetCoveredNJ or NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid)

Sat, Jan 18, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
North Edison Branch - Meeting Room
Join us for an introduction to robotics in this fun, hand-on program!

Sat, Jan 18, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
EPL Virtual - Virtual Meeting Room
Come learn to code in the Edison Public Library's chapter of Girls Who Code!

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

Mon, Jan 20, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Meeting Room
Come and hear some fun stories!

Mon, Jan 20, 5:00pm - 6:15pm
North Edison Branch
Join Joseph Parauda who facilitates Edison's addiction recovery meeting.