Michigan is home to 9 species of bat, the most common is the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifigus). Worldwide there are 1105 different species of bat; over 1/4 of all mammal species on
Earth!

Are they pretty or ugly to look at?  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless, they are amazing animals.  Bat wings have the same anatomy as the mammalian limb and hand. Bats belong to the order: (chiroptera), which is Greek for handwing.

What about rabies? I would be more concerned with a rabid raccoon.  Raccoons account for more than 25% of reported cases in the U.S., while only about 1% of bats have rabies.

If you think that you don't have any bats around your house; sit outside at dusk during the summer and look up.  You will see bats flying around just above the treetops, eating those pesky mosquitoes (along with other bugs). Don't hurt or kill a bat, they have enough trouble with the white nose fungus that is killing them by the thousands.

A typical bat will devour up to 1000 mosquitoes per hour!  Remember last summer and the bumper mosquito harvest? Put up a bat house instead of poisoning your yard with sprays that can hurt you, your kids or your pets. We sell bat houses at our office or online.

You might even try the annual bat festival September 29, 2012 in Bloomfield Hills.

Here are some fun websites full of information on bats:

Bat Conservation International

13 Incredible bat facts

Michigan bats (MI DNR)

Organization for Bat Conservation

Ingham Conservation District - Serving, educating and empowering our community for natural resource stewardship

In Michigan, mosquitoes transmit 8 different diseases: The most widely known are West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Dog Heartworm. More information on Diseases spread by Mosquitoes in Michigan ( from Midland County website).

What creatures eat mosquitoes? Birds, bats, mosquito fish, dragonflies, frogs, toads and a variety of other nifty critters. As a homeowner, what can you do to control the population without poisoning the environment and yourself? Try reading this blog for some information. Natural Mosquito Predators: They Feed on Us, Who Feeds on Them?

Mosquitoes first start appearing in the spring with the warm rains in April.  April showers don't bring just flowers! By coincidence, bats start their migration back to Michigan about then, too. It isn't too early to get your bat house set up, so the incoming bats have a nice place to stay. Just like setting up a hummingbird feeder, it is best to get it up before the hummingbirds arrive.  We sell bat houses at the Ingham Conservation District office and online.

Ingham Conservation District - Serving, educating and empowering our community for natural resource stewardship

Thank you to our 2011 sponsors for their support and generous donations!

Action Printing & Graphics

Besco Water Treatment, Inc.

Creative Memories, Independent Consultant, Teresa Miller

Dart Bank

Dart Container

Golder Associates

Ingham Conservation District

Mason Family Dentistry

Meijer

Schupan Recycling

Shawhaven Haunted Farm

Ware’s Pharmacy

Timothy J. Zielinski, General Dentistry and Orthodontics

Ingham Conservation District - Serving, educating and empowering our community for natural resource stewardship

There are many different sponsorship levels! We also accept the donation of items or services.

Water Table Sponsor (2 available) $200:

• Sponsor name/logo on race shirt
• Sponsor coupon or sample in race bag
• Sponsor recognition at water table
• Logo on our website
• Link to your website

Start and Finish Line (2 available) $500:

• Sponsor name/logo on race shirt
• Sponsor coupon or sample in race bag
• Sponsor recognition at start or finish
• Logo on our website
• Link to your website
• Table space provided on race day

Patron Sponsor $100:

• Family name on race shirt

Maple Corporate Sponsor $100:

• Sponsor name/logo on race shirt
• Sponsor coupon or sample in race bag

Oak Corporate Sponsor $200:

• Sponsor name/logo on race shirt
• Sponsor coupon or sample in race bag
• Logo on our website
• Link to your website

Pine Corporate Sponsor $300:

• Sponsor name/logo on race shirt
• Sponsor coupon or sample in race bag
• Logo on our website
• Link to your website
• Table space provided on race day

Hickory Corporate Sponsor $500:

• Sponsor name/logo on race shirt
• Sponsor coupon or sample in race bag
• Logo on our website
• Link to your website
• Table space provided on race day
• Semi-permanent sign (renewable yearly) on the conservation property in support of a habitat or trail

All money collected goes to help in the preservation of our natural resources, including:

• Management of 200 acre property and the conservation center
• Educational programs supporting conservation practices

If you or a business owner would like to be a sponsor, please download and return this form or contact teresa.miller@inghamconser​vation.com

Ingham Conservation District - Serving, educating and empowering our community for natural resource stewardship

4th annual Green Space 5k Race/Walk is October 7, 2012

Can you help the day of or would you help by serving the district in one of these roles?

• Course Coordinator
• Water Station Coordinator
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Food and Beverages
• Clean Up and Recycle
• First Aid/Medical
• Start and Finish Line
• Awards and Entertainment

Next year’s race is on October 7, 2012. Join us four our 4th annual trail race/walk to support natural resources education in Ingham County. Individual runners/walkers with dogs on leash will be again welcome as will jogging strollers. New for next year’s 5k, Green Space Teams! Form a team with your school, church or community group to support the Ingham Conservation Center and its public outreach. More information coming soon. If you have an interest in serving on our planning committee or as team leader, use the contact us link/5k race director

Ingham Conservation District - Serving, educating and empowering our community for natural resource stewardship