News Release

Contacts

 Diana Weaver 413-253-8329

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           Twenty-three states are receiving a total of $450,000 in grants for white-nose syndrome projects. State natural resource agencies will use the funds for surveillance and monitoring of caves and mines where bats hibernate, preparing state response plans, and other related projects.

 

Quote:

“These grants help our state partners, who are on the front lines of the battle against white-nose syndrome, do essential work,” according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National White-Nose Syndrome Coordinator Jeremy Coleman. “White-nose syndrome has spread rapidly, requiring state and federal agencies to direct significant resources toward work on this deadly disease.”

 

Funding source:

 

The funding for state grants comes from a $1.9 million congressional appropriation for white-nose work. One million dollars of the appropriation will be allotted to research grants, and $450,000 will support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service coordination and management of the response to white-nose syndrome.

 

Background:

 

           White-nose syndrome is a disease of unknown origin that has killed more than a million bats in the Northeast in four years. First seen in early 2006 on hibernating bats in a cave west of Albany, N.Y., it has been confirmed in 11 states and two Canadian provinces. It is considered likely in two more states. Despite a concerted effort by more than 50 agencies and organizations, no means of stopping WNS has yet been discovered.

 

Photos, additional background, current information, map: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html

 

List of states and grant amounts below.

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and a trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.

 

-FWS-

 

States receiving WNS grants, May 2010

 

Notes: Many of the states did not receive the full amount requested and may be unable to fund all the needs identified in their grant applications. “Surveillance” refers to looking for white-nose syndrome in bats. “Monitoring” refers to recording bat population numbers and locations.

 

State name                  Grant               Purpose of grant_____________________   

 

1. Alabama                  $27,190          surveillance, monitoring, communications

 

2. Arkansas                 $21,143          surveillance, monitoring, cave closure signs

 

3. Connecticut             $15,095          monitoring, research support, communication

 

4. Delaware                 $9,048            surveillance, monitoring, communication, state response plan

 

5. Georgia                   $15,095          surveillance, monitoring, decontamination supplies, communication, cave closure signs

 

6. Indiana                    $20,400          surveillance, monitoring, assessment of cave closures

 

7. Iowa                         $12,600          surveillance, monitoring, communications

 

8. Kentucky                $32,039          surveillance, monitoring

 

9. Louisiana                 $5,400            surveillance, monitoring, state response plan

 

10. Massachusetts       $9,048            monitoring, cave gates

 

11. Minnesota             $21,143          surveillance, monitoring, state response plan, communication

 

12. Mississippi              $9,048            monitoring 

 

13. Missouri                $32,039          cave gates, state response plan

 

14. New Hampshire    $15,095          surveillance, monitoring, cave gates, communication

 

15. New Jersey           $19,529          monitoring, developing new surveillance techniques

 

16. North Carolina      $21,143          surveillance, state response plan, research support, communication

 

17. Pennsylvania          $32,039          monitoring, investigate disease containment

 

18. South Carolina       $15,095          surveillance, communication, assess cave conditions

 

19. Tennessee             $27,190          monitoring

 

20. Vermont                $21,143          surveillance, monitoring, communication, research support

 

21. Virginia                  $21,143          surveillance, monitoring, communication, research support

 

22. West Virginia         $27,190          surveillance, monitoring

 

23. Wisconsin              $21,143          surveillance, monitoring, manage winter and summer bat sites, communication