Bat Night !
NatureArt Lab is proud to present an event in partnership with the Australasian Bat Society Inc. This presentation will provide an informative evening all about Australia’s amazing flying mammals – the flying foxes! Our fund-raising talk hosted by Julia Landford (Director of NatureArt Lab) is designed for citizen scientists and artists who would like to learn more about our lesser understood bat friends.
Date: Monday 7 March
Time: 6.00 - 7.30pm
Format: Online via Zoom. This is a COVID-SAFE event
Bookings at: https://natureartlab.com.au/collections/events/products/australasian-bat-night-2022-online-event-6-00-7-30pm-monday-7-march-2022
Michelle is a parasitologist who investigates disease ecology and co-infection within Australian wildlife. Michelle is particularly interested in reverse zoonoses or the transmission of disease agents from humans to wildlife species. Her work spans wildlife species from the land to the sea including Flying fox, possum, koala, Tasmanian devil, and the Australian sea lion. Michelle’s research outcomes are significant for wildlife health and human health and the growing global issue of emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Michelle is passionate about science education and facilitates this in-part through a citizen science project Scoop a Poop – citizens tackle antibiotic resistance in the wild that enables active participation in a research project.
Charmian Gradwell (Sydney Wildlife Rescue) will talk about “Working in Close Up" - a phrase taken from her professional life working in film and television. Hear Charmian’s story of what she has learned and witnessed through rehabilitating orphaned and injured flying foxes over many years. Consider what might be useful strategies for us all to consider as artists and citizen scientists when we are attempting to change the sometimes negative public narratives that abound surrounding these particular animals.
Charmian is a member of Sydney Wildlife Rescue which is a volunteer charity working throughout the Sydney Basin. She cares for her charges until they are robust enough both physically and psychologically to be returned to the wild. Charmian was one of the wildlife carers on the consultation panel during the latest NSW redraft of the code of practice for injured, sick and orphaned flying foxes and is also a qualified veterinary nurse.
·Belinda Wilson (PhD candidate, ANU) will present the story of flying-foxes in Canberra - from their relationship with First Nations peoples lasting many millennia, to the recent events impacting the Commonwealth Park colony, and ending with what the future may hold for the camp.
Belinda is an ecologist, conservation biologist, and science communicator. With experiences meandering from frog ecology to leopard seal migrations, zookeeping, environmental regulation, birds and banding them, flying-fox ecology and advocacy, and an eastern quoll reintroduction - she is passionate about inspiring the agency people need to take care of our natural world. For the last five years, Belinda has coordinated flying-fox monitoring at Commonwealth Park (in the middle of Canberra) as a member of the Australasian Bat Society and aims to give a balanced platform to our only true flying mammals.
- a link for the event will be sent once your booking details are received.
Our Presenters
Associate Professor Michelle Power (Macquarie University) will provide an overview of Australia’s mega and micro fauna, their ecological importance and some insights into health and disease issues.Michelle is a parasitologist who investigates disease ecology and co-infection within Australian wildlife. Michelle is particularly interested in reverse zoonoses or the transmission of disease agents from humans to wildlife species. Her work spans wildlife species from the land to the sea including Flying fox, possum, koala, Tasmanian devil, and the Australian sea lion. Michelle’s research outcomes are significant for wildlife health and human health and the growing global issue of emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Michelle is passionate about science education and facilitates this in-part through a citizen science project Scoop a Poop – citizens tackle antibiotic resistance in the wild that enables active participation in a research project.
Charmian Gradwell (Sydney Wildlife Rescue) will talk about “Working in Close Up" - a phrase taken from her professional life working in film and television. Hear Charmian’s story of what she has learned and witnessed through rehabilitating orphaned and injured flying foxes over many years. Consider what might be useful strategies for us all to consider as artists and citizen scientists when we are attempting to change the sometimes negative public narratives that abound surrounding these particular animals.
Charmian is a member of Sydney Wildlife Rescue which is a volunteer charity working throughout the Sydney Basin. She cares for her charges until they are robust enough both physically and psychologically to be returned to the wild. Charmian was one of the wildlife carers on the consultation panel during the latest NSW redraft of the code of practice for injured, sick and orphaned flying foxes and is also a qualified veterinary nurse.
·Belinda Wilson (PhD candidate, ANU) will present the story of flying-foxes in Canberra - from their relationship with First Nations peoples lasting many millennia, to the recent events impacting the Commonwealth Park colony, and ending with what the future may hold for the camp.
Belinda is an ecologist, conservation biologist, and science communicator. With experiences meandering from frog ecology to leopard seal migrations, zookeeping, environmental regulation, birds and banding them, flying-fox ecology and advocacy, and an eastern quoll reintroduction - she is passionate about inspiring the agency people need to take care of our natural world. For the last five years, Belinda has coordinated flying-fox monitoring at Commonwealth Park (in the middle of Canberra) as a member of the Australasian Bat Society and aims to give a balanced platform to our only true flying mammals.
What is Australasian Bat Night?
Australasian Bat Night is a public awareness program aiming to educate people about bats, to raise the profile of bats and debunk the myths and fears, to achieve better conservation outcomes and assist people to live with bats.
In 2022, Australasian Bat Night is celebrating its tenth year! By 2018 there were over 100 events being held throughout Australia and New Zealand as bat specialists teamed up with community and local government groups to raise awareness of bats, with some events attracting up to 500+ participants!
All funds raised through this event will be donated to support flying fox wildlife rescue.
Image credit: Andrew Mercer
In 2022, Australasian Bat Night is celebrating its tenth year! By 2018 there were over 100 events being held throughout Australia and New Zealand as bat specialists teamed up with community and local government groups to raise awareness of bats, with some events attracting up to 500+ participants!
All funds raised through this event will be donated to support flying fox wildlife rescue.
Image credit: Andrew Mercer
