Even before the widespread incidence and threats of White-nose syndrome (WNS) were known, human disturbance to bats while they hibernate has been a well-documented threat in the Northeast.  Many of the pre-WNS conservation efforts focused on better protection of critical winter habitat for bats, which can include caves, abandoned mines, sinkholes, aqueducts and other locations natural or man-made where bats overwinter.  Management actions can improve the structures for bats while preventing human disturbance.

Fourteen species of wetland-inhabiting butterfly species of Greatest Coservation Need (SGCN) status were surveyed in 2016 and 2017 at multiple sites across four states - Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Survery data was used to evaluate the status of each species in all states where they occurred as well as refine the distribution data for each species across the region. All data points were mapped in ArcGIS and used to model species distribution in terms of both habitat and climate.

Northeastern forests provide essential habitat for a large suite of birds and mammals that occur in no other setting. This group includes several habitat specialists listed as species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) in multiple states. Their vulnerability to various stressors has prompted the formation of several species-­‐level conservation and research initiatives. We propose to work with these focused partnerships and with key forest stewards to integrate current ecological and biogeographic information into on-­‐ the-­‐ground habitat enhancement.