Patricia Brown, Ph.D. will offer a 2-day class on Southwestern Desert Bats, sponsored by the Southern Sierra Research Station (SSRS), to be held at the Desert Studies Center (DSC) at Soda Springs (Zzyzx) south of Baker, California from 4:00 pm on Friday September 26 until 3 pm on Sunday September 28th, 2025.

Dr. Brown has taught this class (or variations) at the DSC for 47 years. She is a retired Research Associate at UCLA and has conducted research on bats for 56 years. She now consults with state and federal agencies on bat survey techniques and conservation issues. 

Bats are important components of the desert ecosystem, yet because of their nocturnal nature they are usually difficult to observe. This course will introduce the participants to the world of bats and to some of the techniques used by scientists to study these amazing mammals. Nightly field work will allow participants to use ultrasonic bat detectors and night vision equipment and to observe the mist-netting of wild bats (unless it’s windy). Diurnal lectures and videos will supplement the field experiences. Bring a field notebook, camp chair and flashlight (headlight preferred). A camera and binoculars are desirable. 

Soda Springs (a.k.a. Zzyzx) has a rich history, with Native American petroglyphs in the vicinity. Subsequently, it served at times as a fort along the Mojave Road, railroad stop, and health spa under Dr. Curtis Springer before becoming part of the California State University Preserve system. The Desert Studies Center lies within the Mojave National Preserve. Throughout the year, the DSC hosts a variety of desert-oriented courses in several disciplines as well as scientific research. You will enjoy your stay at this fascinating facility. 

Students will stay in dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms, and with desks and bunk beds (students bring their own bedding and towel). If requested and available, couples will be accommodated in rooms with double beds. Other facilities include classrooms, library, laboratory, kitchen and restroom facilities with showers. The DSC is “off the grid” and power is by solar, wind and a back-up generator. There is limited internet service. The meals are provided by a chef at the DSC. If you have special dietary needs, let us know when you register. 

Cost: $400 per person which includes instruction, two nights lodging at the Center, appetizers Friday night and five meals beginning with breakfast on Saturday through lunch on Sunday. A tentative agenda is included below. A waiting list will be kept after the class enrollment limit is reached.

How to register: Registration is online only through the Southern Sierra Research Station website. Click the “Register” button below. Registration will close when the class fills.

Location: Desert Studies Center, 49441 Zzyzx Rd, Baker, CA 92309

Enrollment is limited to 35 students. 

Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellation by July 31:  $25 processing fee 
• Cancellation August 01 – 31:  $75 processing fee 
• Cancellation after August 31:  no refund*.   
  • * If there is a waiting list and we are able to fill your spot, we will refund all except the $75 processing fee 

_______________________Tentative Agenda________________________

Bats of the Southwestern U.S. Deserts

September 26-28, 2025

Friday, September 26th, 2025

4:00-5:00 pm – Class arrives and checks into accommodations. There is a possibility that traffic will be heavy Friday afternoon on the I 15 heading east towards Las Vegas.  Dinner will not be served that night. Light “snacks” and beverages will be available during the evening.  

If you arrive after dark, try find our group near the ponds as you come into the Center. Mist nets will be set at dusk over the road and water sources at the Desert Studies Center (unless it’s windy). Class will have an opportunity to observe and learn to identify captured bats and to monitor their ultrasonic signals using bat detectors. No one is allowed to handle bats unless they have had the rabies vaccine and have an acceptable antibody titer.

Saturday, September 27th, 2025

7:30 am – Breakfast

8:30 am – Lecture and PowerPoint presentations

12:00 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – Lecture on bat acoustics

4:00 pm – Depart for field site to mist net bats and record echolocation signals. Picnic dinner.

Midnight – Approximate return to the Center.

Sunday, September 28th, 2025

8:00 am – Breakfast

9:00 am – Discussion of mist net and evening acoustic recordings, followed by bat videos and presentations by Assistants with expertise on bats that include CA Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations involving bat research; NABAT monitoring program; and impacts to bats by White Nose Syndrome, climate change, alternative energy; infrastructure developments and environmental contaminants.

12:30 pm – Lunch. We will finish discussions after lunch.

3:00 pm – Class dismissed.

• If you are signed up for the class and are not able to attend, please email us directly or use the Contact us form.

What to bring

For the class:

• Headlight,
• garden gloves,
• folding chair for evening mist-netting,
• notebook and pen.
• If you want to observe mist-netting over water, rubber boots are advised.

For your stay: https://www.fullerton.edu/dsc/visiting/preparing-for-your-visit/checklist.html