Boffa Miskell funding a research scholarship at the University of Waikato
20 January 2023
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Funded by Boffa Miskell and Waikato Regional Council, the research project will survey a range of native vegetation restoration sites to identify factors favourable to roosting by long-tailed bats.
The critically threatened long-tailed bat is unique to New Zealand and is one of just two remaining species of native terrestrial mammals. Hamilton is one of the only cities in New Zealand to still support a resident population of long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus).
The small, fragmented populations in the Waikato region threatened by the loss of mature vegetation from increasing urbanisation and associated infrastructure. Deforestation has significantly reduced roosting habitat, as long-tailed bats primarily roost in tree cavities and hollows, broken branches, and under peeling bark of both indigenous and exotic vegetation.
Boffa Miskell reached out to the University of Waikato to see whether they would be interested in establishing a scholarship fund for a research project relating to native bats.
Funded by Boffa Miskell and Waikato Regional Council, the objective of this masters research project is to identify and survey a range of native vegetation restoration sites to identify factors favourable to roosting by long-tailed bats.
Survey data will be coupled with restoration plans and landscape information to identify factors associated with long-tailed bat activity. This information will be synthesised to produce recommendations for restoration planting programmes with the intention of providing suitable habitat for long-tailed bats.
Dave Moule, managing partner at the Hamilton office says, “This scholarship is clearly well-aligned to Boffa Miskell’s core disciplines and the research will not only provide valuable data to help inform our project work, but will also provide an opportunity for scholarship candidates to gain work experience and employment opportunities with us.”
Find out more
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