Bill Text: NJ AJR133 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates last full weekend in August each year as "New Jersey Bat Night Out."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-06-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [AJR133 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR133-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman PARKER SPACE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Designates last full weekend in August each year as "New Jersey Bat Night Out."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the last full weekend in August of each year as "New Jersey Bat Night Out."
Whereas, "International Bat Night" has taken place every year since 1997 on the last full weekend of August in more than 30 countries, and involves events to educate the public on the lives and habitat needs of bats; and
Whereas, While some people may view bats as spooky or dangerous, bats are important indicators of a healthy environment and are the only major predators of nocturnal insects; and
Whereas, New Jersey is home to nine species of bats -- the little brown bat, big brown bat, northern long-eared bat, small-footed myotis, Eastern pipistrel, Indiana bat, hoary bat, red bat, and silver-haired bat, and they are protected under "The Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act"; and
Whereas, Hoary, red, and silver-haired bats are part-time residents that are found in the State from spring through fall, migrating to southern states in the fall to overwinter in a milder climate, while the other six species remain here throughout the year and require special habitats for winter hibernation; and
Whereas, Natural caves once provided hibernating habitat for bats, but today most natural caves are subject to disturbance by people, and thus are not suitable for use by bats, and abandoned mines and tunnels have replaced natural caves as the primary winter habitat for bats in many parts of the country; and
Whereas, The Indiana bat is designated as a State and federally endangered species due to the disturbance or alteration of hibernation sites and roosting places by human activities; and
Whereas, New Jersey's largest known bat hibernaculum is the Hibernia Mine located in the Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area in Morris County; and
Whereas, The first record of bats using the Hibernia Mine is from the 1930s, and while once home to over 30,000 hibernating bats, including a small number of Indiana bats, the population has been decimated by white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungus that affects hibernating bats; and
Whereas, Bats rely on certain food sources and certain habitats in order to survive, and protecting their natural habitats from disturbance, especially during hibernation and the raising of young, is a key factor in maintaining healthy bat populations; and
Whereas, Because bats are particularly vulnerable to pollution and pesticides, the presence or absence of bats can provide scientists with information on the overall health of the local environment; and
Whereas, New Jersey's bat species are insectivorous and can consume thousands of insects in a single night helping to reduce agricultural crop pests, mosquitos, and the need for pesticides; and
Whereas, Because of the issues affecting the health of the country's bat population and the importance of bats to the agricultural industry, it is altogether fitting and proper to take steps to dispel the misconceptions associated with bats and to increase public awareness of the benefits of bats; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The last full weekend in August of each year is designated as "New Jersey Bat Night Out."
2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "New Jersey Bat Night Out" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. The Department of Environmental Protection shall take appropriate measures each year to publicize "New Jersey Bat Night Out" and highlight the importance of bats to the environment and the agricultural industry.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates the last full weekend in August of each year as "New Jersey Bat Night Out." "International Bat Night" has taken place every year since 1997 on the last full weekend of August in more than 30 countries, and involves events to educate the public on the lives and habitat needs of bats. The resolution directs the Department of Environmental Protection to take appropriate measures each year to publicize "New Jersey Bat Night Out" and highlight the importance of bats to the environment and the agricultural industry.
New Jersey is home to nine species of bats, all of which are protected by "The Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act." Six species, including the Indiana bat - designated as a State and federal endangered species - are year-round residents, and three species are migratory.
Bats are important indicators of a healthy environment. Since they are particularly vulnerable to pollution and pesticides, the presence or absence of bats can provide scientists with information on the overall health of the local environment. New Jersey's bat species are insectivorous and can consume thousands of insects in a single night, helping to reduce agricultural crop pests, mosquitos, and the use of pesticides.
