“Blind as a Bat” – An Untruth
Bats are not blind. This is one of many misconceptions Cyndi Marks hopes to dispel in her one-hour “Bats of Central Florida” presentation on Sunday, April 25, 4:00-5:00 p.m., at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, Lakeland. Bats actually have the same five senses as humans – smelling, hearing, tasting, seeing and feeling; and some have highly developed sonar capabilities.
Marks, and her husband George, are founders of the Florida Bat Conservancy and have more than 15 years of experience caring for and rehabilitating injured bats at the Florida Bat Center in Punta Gorda. As co-authors of Bats of Florida, an authoriative guide to identifying Florida native species, they provide an objective view of bats and human health aimed at changing people’s attitudes and fears. Bats of Florida also includes revealing stories about the unoccupied bat tower on Sugarloaf Key and the infamous University of Florida bat house, which is home to the largest sanctuary for bats in North America.
Explore the world of bats with Cyndi Marks beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Workshop. Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve is a cool place to visit and opens at noon on Sunday. Programs are very informative, and best of all, FREE. Bring the entire family. Circle B Bar Reserve is located at 4399 Winter Lake Road in Lakeland. For more information or to sign up for any of the programs, call Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, (863) 668-4673.
DID YOU KNOW?
Circle B Bar Reserve is a host site of the Trek Ten Trails Program, and one of many Polk County parks, trails and environmental land sites supported and promoted by our Friends of the Parks Foundation. Learn more at www.friendsoftheparks.net.
