All Creatures Big and Small

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth celebrated Halloween 2020 with news that six species of bats (three of them threatened species) had been found on the property where they have lived for nearly 200 years.

The bats were discovered as part of a commitment to count and document every animal and plant that calls the Motherhouse Campus in Nazareth, Kentucky home.

Carolyn Cromer, director of ecological sustainability, is excited about the discovery. “One of my hopes when we began the biological surveys of Nazareth was that we would find some plant or animal species that are threatened or endangered. While protecting and enhancing all wildlife habitat is important, those species whose populations are at risk of extinction are especially deserving of our protection.”

Six species of bats have been discovered on the Motherhouse Campus, Nazareth, Kentucky, as part of an effort to count and document all animals and plants there.

Jennifer Snyder, pictured left, a dedicated birder, shows Susan Gatz, SCN, some of her sightings on the Motherhouse Campus, Nazareth, Kentucky. A census is being done of birds on campus.

Members of the grounds department work together to implement care for the Earth initiatives at the Motherhouse campus in Nazareth, Kentucky. Left to right: Joshu Primer,Paul Underwood,Jason Hagan,Derek Peake and Jerry Hurst (recently retired).

At the 2018 General Assembly, the Sisters in leadership created the Visioning for Nazareth Committee to “develop a spiritual, inclusive process to involve the whole Congregation and others in planning for the future of Nazareth.” One of the goals of the committee, led by Susan Gatz, SCN, is to identify plants and animals that call Nazareth home or use it for habitat.

As part of this effort, scientists have discovered a federally threatened species at Nazareth, the Gray bat. In addition, two other species detected at Nazareth, the Little Brown bat, and the Tricolor bat, are candidates for federal listing. According to bat biologist Gary Libby in his survey report, “the Gray bat uses caves and cave-like dwellings during both the summer and winter. There are no caves or cave-like dwellings at the study area (Nazareth), so these bats are likely coming from outside of Nazareth to forage and drink in the area. Gray bats are known to fly long distances during the night, sometimes as far as 30 to 40 miles … little brown bats, and tricolor bats use the study area for foraging and drinking and possibly roost in the area as well.”

“Threatened” is a legal categorization under the Endangered Species Act that means that a species is likely to become endangered, or at risk of extinction, in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

A census of snails as well as birds has also taken place. Jennifer Snyder, a birder with 33 years of experience, has made many visits to campus to do a survey of bird species. Jennifer began birding as a child and has built up an extensive list of bird species she has seen - 911 in North America and 3,153 globally.

When Jennifer is on campus identifying birds, she will walk with a camera, binoculars, and sometimes a scope. Her photos have been breathtaking. When the survey got underway there was an initial identification of 42 birds, including a pair of courting red-tailed hawks, a winter wren, and a female belted kingfisher.

The census of animals and plants is just one of several initiatives underway on the 370acre campus. In addition to the census, the Sisters have turned to using some electric vehicles and have installed charging stations for the electric vehicles. Native trees have been planted to increase shade and offset the urban heat island effect. Campus workers are nurturing pollinator plant species and Monarch butterflies, and decreasing mowing to protect and nurture habitat for Kentucky animals. Lawn care is done mostly with electric equipment and solar panels have been installed on Carrico Hall. There’s also a community garden where some of the food prepared in the Motherhouse is grown. Composting is practiced, and rainwater is collected and used for the garden and other plants on campus.

All these steps taking place on campus, including the identification and protection of federally protected species on campus is part of the Sisters mission to care for the earth. “For us, it’s a spiritual reality because of our relationship with the earth, because of the holiness of creation, because of our relationship to the Creator,” says Sister Susan.

SCNs think this latest endeavor, the bat census, and the discovery of so many species is amazing and eye-opening. Scientists say it speaks to the high quality of habitat at Nazareth and the Sisters’ intense commitment to wildlife habitat enhancement and protection. Carolyn adds that it also reflects the Sister’s land stewardship over the past 200 years, a stewardship that is sacred and has provided a home for these species today.