Sunday, February 27th, 2011 at 2 PM

Jenny Dickson, a senior wildlife biologist from the state Department of Environmental Protection, will speak and make a presentation on the threat to Connecticut’s bat population from the deadly “White Nose Syndrome” on Sunday afternoon Feb. 27.

In the past few years this mysterious disease has taken a huge toll on the already stressed bat population of New England.

The epidemic has caused the demise of 90% of bats in some caves where they hibernate, and 100% loss in other hibernacula.

Overall, more than one million bats have died due to this devastating disease, which has spread to nine species in fourteen states and shows no signs of stopping.

Bats play many vital roles in our everyday environment, including the control of harmful insects that carry diseases and destroy crops.

Their loss threatens the balance of nature and could impact the state’s agriculture industry. “We’ve always needed bats – now they need us,” said Ms Dickson, who is supervising Wildlife Biologist at the DEP. “ Come to learn how you can help.”

The program will be on Sunday Feb. 27 at 2 PM at the Lyme Public Hall, Rt. 156 in Hamburg. Admission is free and open to the public.