Presentation Description: Regional conservation plans, including large-scale Habitat Conservation Plans, continue to be one of the most effective ways to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and comprehensively address impacts on listed species. This presentation will highlight unique and evolving considerations related to conservation planning for bats. Drawing from information and experience gained from permitted and in-development regional conservation plans for bats, the presentation will: • provide an overview of available tools to evaluate impacts on listed bat species; • discuss a suite of avoidance and minimization approaches for listed bat species; • discuss mitigation options for listed bat species, including the potential suite of research options that may be available; and • highlight opportunities and challenges associated with conservation planning for bats.
