Summary

Recognizes the ecological and economic importance of bats, documents the spread and impacts of white-nose syndrome on multiple bat species and states, and highlights federal and partner monitoring, research, and response efforts. It notes large annual agricultural savings from bat pest control, the global diversity of bats, and recent scientific progress in understanding and addressing white-nose syndrome.

• Affirms that bats provide large ecological and economic benefits, including an estimated $3.7 billion in annual pest-control value for U.S. farmers.
• Documents white-nose syndrome spread to 40 States and associated population declines in several bat species.
• Highlights that the northern long-eared bat is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
• Identifies DOI agencies and the U.S. Forest Service as lead federal responders working with 150+ partners.
• Describes the North American Bat Monitoring Program consolidating nearly 94 million records from U.S., Canadian, and Tribal partners since 2015.
• Recognizes ongoing scientific research and progress toward understanding, slowing, and treating white-nose syndrome.
• Is a findings-based resolution that recognizes issues and coordination efforts but does not itself change law or allocate funding.
• Emphasizes multi-jurisdictional partnerships including federal, state, Tribal, NGO, and academic participants.