VANCOUVER, Wash. 鈥 Christine Portfors, associate professor of biology at Washington State University Vancouver, and Peter Ritson, seventh grade science teacher at Catlin Gabel, will host their annual 鈥淏at Talk鈥 from 3 鈥 5 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Dengerink Administration building, room 110. This event is an especially fun fall activity for families with children ages 4 鈥 12 and is free and open to the public.
While the season often calls for depicting bats as blood-sucking, vicious creatures, now families have an opportunity to see live bats up close and learn why these animals are largely misunderstood. In addition to teaching guests about bats, Portfors will offer fun children鈥檚 activities including arts and crafts.
"Many people want to get rid of bats and consequently, certain species are becoming endangered," said Portfors. "These animals need to be understood in order to protect them. My role as a scientist is to help educate the public about their importance. Kids especially have a lot of fun coming to see the live bats."
In her presentation, Portfors dispels popular folklore and teaches guests about the beneficial role bats play in nature managing insect pests, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. She will showcase different bat species and introduce guests to a few of her captive tropical fruit bats.
Portfors is a biologist and neurobiologist who has studied bats in the wild and in the lab for more than 17 years. For more information about Portfors鈥 research, visit her website, "The Bat Lab,鈥 at .
麻豆传媒 is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Avenue off the 134th Street exit form either I-5 or I-205. Parking is free on weekends.
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CONTACTS
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu