The first meeting of the 2009-10 Sanibel Master Gardener Lecture Series will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5 starting at 10 a.m. at the Sanibel Public Library, located at 770 Dunlop Road.

What can fly but is not a bird or insect?

What pollinates flowers and trees but is not an insect?

What can echolocate but is not a dolphin?

BATS!

They are our rarely seen and poorly understood and appreciated nocturnal friends. The bat is our only flying mammal and a prolific insectivore and pollinator. The species in our area do not hibernate in caves but rather live in protected outdoor areas and bat boxes and are out hunting mosquitoes and harmful moths every night. They locate their prey after dark by echolocation (transmitting and receiving sound waves).

Cynthia Marks, founder of the Florida Bat Conservancy (in 1994) and author of the only book on Florida bats (published by the University of Florida), will travel from the headquarters in St. Petersburg to present a fascinating program, complete with amazing slides, four species of live bats and bat boxes suitable for use in your yard. Cynthia is driving over 300 miles round trip to make the last presentation of her career. Don’t miss this interesting and informative event.

This seminar is free and open to the public, but there is limited seating. Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Sanibel Public Library beginning at 10 a.m.