NEWS | Northern Long-Eared Bat
February 2023 Update – Bat HCP Finalized and Incidental Take Permit Issued
Early in 2023 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) finalized the Lake States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation Plan (Bat HCP). As a result of completing the Bat HCP, the DNR’s Incidental Take Permit (ITP) from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the four covered bat species in the Bat HCP was issued and signed by all parties on February 6, 2023. The ITP will ensure forest management activities in endangered bat habitat on DNR-managed land can continue without additional consultation with USFWS.
Through the ITP, the DNR can extend take authorization to eligible nonfederal landowners through a Landowner Enrollment Program (LEP). The DNR is currently developing the internal programming that is needed to begin making the LEP available for landowners. More information about the LEP will be shared via the Bat HCP newsletter and this webpage when the program is ready to announce.
© 2023 Minnesota DNR Lakes States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation Plan | Minnesota DNR
Useful Wildlife Information
For facts and information about individual wildlife species, visit the DNR’s Animals of Minnesota page.
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Quality Deer Management Association The national organization that promotes practices leading to more and bigger bucks.
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Biology and management of eastern wild turkey. Video by Jim Miller from Southern Region Extension Forestry / Master Wildlifer program. One hour and fifteen minutes.
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Cornell Lab of Ornithology Cornell is the leader in research on songbirds. In particular, check their Project Feeder Watch program.