The Weird and Wonderful World of Bats Presented by Dr. Alyson Brokaw

On October 23rd at 7:30 PM via Zoom, join bat scientist Dr. Alyson Brokaw on a journey into the world of bats—just in time for Bat Week (October 24-31)! From vampires that drink blood to speed racers that can fly almost 100 miles per hour, bats are fascinating and unique creatures. They're also vital to our environment, helping pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and control pesky insect populations. Learn about the bats in our community, threats like white-nose syndrome, and the important role these remarkable flying mammals play in our local ecosystem.

 

Free registration

About the Presenter

Aylson Brokaw is an Assistant Professor in Biology at Cedar Crest College, where she is studying bat ecology and animal foraging behavior. She completed her PhD in the Smotherman lab at Texas A&M University. Alyson’s dissertation research focused on understanding how bats use smell while foraging, with an emphasis on the behavioral strategies they use to locate odor sources. She is also broadly interested in animal decision-making, social interactions, and the evolutionary morphology of bats and other mammals.

About DRGP

The Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) periodically sponsors lectures about different aspects of the Delaware River's cultural, recreational, and natural heritage. An environmental nonprofit, DRGP supports the Delaware River Scenic Byway, the Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River, the Delaware River Water Trail, and the Delaware River Heritage Trail.

 

To view previous Heritage Lectures, visit https://www.youtube.com/@delawarerivergp

 

If you enjoy our Heritage Lectures, please donate https://delawarerivergreenwaypartnership.org/index.php/donate.

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources for financial support of the 2025 Heritage Lectures.

Photo Credit: Eastern Red Bat by Price Sewell