My Nonprofit Reviews
lavadisco
Review for Center for Biological Diversity Inc, Tucson, AZ, USA
With regard to the current White Nose Syndrome epidemic in bats, the CBD has consistently pushed a campaign of disinformation and scientifically unsupported rhetoric. Their efforts threaten to remove access for legitimate scientists studying caves for reasons outside of WNS, which will ultimately harm our ability to make a case for conservation of caves and not just bats.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
As a member of the National Speleological Society, by far the the organization in this country most qualified to speak to caves and bats, I have seen the CBD use flawed science and unsupported rhetoric to make the case for closing all caves in the US, even caves with no bats. What this will do is immensely hamper general cave conservation efforts, including conservation of cave-dwelling species other than bats.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would see the CBD work with the NSS to formulate a rational plan that closes known bat hibernaculums only, pushes a scientific study to understand the fungus' transport mechanisms, allows for continued access for scientists and cavers in all other caves, and implements an effective gear decontamination plan for caves on all public lands. Blanket closures are a knee-jerk response!
