Forestry for the Bats: How Forest Management Supports Kansas Bat Populations

About this episode

This episode discusses how forest management practices can support healthy bat populations in Kansas.

Forests aren’t just for trees—they’re vital habitats for bats, too. In this episode, Rural and Community Forester Chelsea Hanson joins us to explore how thoughtful forest management can support healthy bat populations across Kansas. From protecting roost trees and managing riparian buffers to using prescribed fire and timber harvests wisely, Chelsea explains how forestry practices can create better conditions for bats to roost, forage, and thrive. Tune in to learn how landowners and communities alike can help keep Kansas’s forests—and its bats—healthy for generations to come. KDWP: https://ksoutdoors.gov/Wildlife-Habitats/Wildlife-Conservation NRCS: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/kansas K-State Extension Bat Information: https://www.wildlife.k-state.edu/species/bats/ Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation: https://www.merlintuttle.org/

People in this episode

Guest: Chelsea Hanson

Topics covered

• forest management
• bat populations
• wildlife conservation

Keywords

• roost trees
• riparian buffers
• prescribed fire
• timber harvests

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Kansas

More episodes of Kansas Canopy

• Discovering the Ozark Chinquapin · June 3, 2026 · 1h 28m
• Putting Kansas on the Map: GIS Tools That Make a Difference · May 6, 2026 · 38 min
• Researching the Eastern Redcedar · April 1, 2026 · 26 min
• The Kansas River & the People Who Protect It · March 4, 2026 · 52 min
• Champions in the Field: Measuring Giants, Building Pride · February 4, 2026 · 50 min
• Investing in the Forest: Why Timber Stand Improvement Matters · January 7, 2026 · 30 min