Environment Sandy Springs board member and development director Janet Wells recently presented to members of North Fulton Master Gardeners. The topic of the presentation was our mission to improve habitat and promote environmental stewardship in the city of Sandy Springs by restoring native plant habitat and avoiding invasive species.

Chris Mowry, Professor of Biology at Berry College, has detected a number of bat species utilizing habitat at Old Riverside Park in Sandy Springs.

The flying mammals were detected using ultrasonic bat detectors that pick up on the echolocation signals that bats use to find insect prey on the wing. These signals are not detectable by the human ear, but the sophisticated listening devices can record the high frequency sounds. Scientists can use these recorded signals to determine which species of bat are present, as echolocation patterns vary by species, just as bird song varies by species.

Volunteers and members of the Eco Stewards team got some hands on experience learning about invasive plant control on Saturday, April 6 at a city of Sandy Springs-owned property on Abernathy road. Our fearless leader Jim Newbury was among the volunteers.

Homeowners can help bees and other pollinators by changing the way they manage their lawns. Reducing the mowing frequency and allowing some flowering plants to grow in the lawn are two small changes that can make a big difference for pollinators. Read more about “No Mow May” on the Xerces Society website.