Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
The Story of Gray Bats in Rocheport Cave
Or Click here to watch the recording of this presentation on YouTube.
Do you know the story of the gray bats in Rocheport Cave? We're lucky to have a population of this federally endangered species dwelling right in our river neighborhood. This presentation focuses on the small creatures that play a big role in the Missouri River ecosystem and the conservation efforts that have shaped their survival.
Though she plays many roles in bat conservation on a national and state level, we (and the bats) are lucky to have Vona Kuczynska right here in Mid-Missouri. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leading bat expert!
Photo: A gray bat spreads its wings at Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by George Lee, courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
This presentation originally took place on January 13th, 2026 at the Riechmann Indoor Pavilion in Stephens Lake Park, Columbia, MO.
Hosted by Missouri River Relief
Meet Your Presenter
Vona Kuczynska
, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Biologist
As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Missouri Ecological Services Field Office, Vona conducts Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultations within Missouri, working with federal agencies to evaluate and minimize project impacts on federally listed species. Her work emphasizes bat ecology and conservation, supporting science-based decisions through survey implementation and habitat management.
She serves as the National Recovery Coordinator for the gray bat (Myotis grisescens) and grotto sculpin (Cottus specus), and contributes to national bat conservation efforts as a member of the Service’s Range-wide Bat Survey Guidelines Team. She also instructs the Evaluating Acoustic Bat Surveys for ESA Compliance course at the National Conservation Training Center.
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Resources & Links
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