A True Fall Watercolor along the Pumphouse Trail, Laurel Hill State Park. Photo by Karen Hohman

Halloween is not only about tricks and treats, ghosts and goblins, it’s also about bats!

Pennsylvania is home to nine species of bats that may be scary to look at, but perform a very valuable function—they eat at least 25 percent of their body weight in insects like mosquitoes at every feeding.

In fact, a growing number of people are building bat houses to attract bats to help control insects.

But bats can occasionally cause homeowners problems, especially in the fall of the year when they are looking for places to hibernate.

Among the nine bat species in Pennsylvania, the Indiana bat is recognized as endangered both by the state and nationally.

The Game Commission has been actively preserving hibernation sites for the Indiana bat in an old mine and abandoned church near Canoe Creek State Park. You can view the Canoe Creek site through a special Batcam during times when the bats are not hibernating.

To learn more about bats, visit the Season of the Bat produced by the GreenTreks Network and the Game Commission’s Pennsylvania Bats webpage.

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Session Schedule

The Senate and House both return to regular and special session October 31.

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda

· Senate Environmental Committee Set to Consider Waste Tire, Forestry, Sewer Bills

· House Energy Policy Meeting To Focus on Energy Efficiency, Renewables

· House Committee Extends Recycling Fee, OK’s Environmental Education Center

· Attempts Made to End Emissions Inspection, Prohibit California Car Standards

· House Republicans Unveil Fall Legislative Priorities

· Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

· Bills Introduced

Other News

· Growth, Resource Conservation Principles Released by Rendell Administration

· Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Grants Available

· Farmland Preservation Program Adds 3,200 acres, 30 farms in October

· Sustainable Agriculture – Community Forestry Symposium November 17

· EPA Green Power Partnership Tops 3 Billion Kilowatts, 13 PA Partners

· Green Power Awards to Be Given to Leaders in Clean Energy Policy, Practice

· PECO Awarded Grant to Fund Prototype Hybrid Bucket Truck

· Nominations Accepted for 2006 Presidential Green Chemistry Awards

· Watershed Mini-Grants Available From Western PA Conservancy, Dominion

· Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Launches New Website

· Upper Merion Township Authority Wins National Clean Water Recognition

· Adams Township, Mars Honored for Groundwater Protection Efforts

· PA CleanWays Open Your Eyes to Litter – In a Watershed Book Available

Opinion

· Consolidation of Water Systems in Pennsylvania, Jeffrey R. Hines, P.E., Chairman Pennsylvania Chapter National Association of Water Companies

Regulations

· Mercury Toxicology, Deposition and Fish Advisories Topics of Work Group Meeting

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

10/28/2005