The Hendrix Center on the campus of Clemson University in South Carolina was the location for the 7th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Bat Diversity Network and 11th Colloquium on the Conservation of Mammals in the Southeastern United States.

Dr. Susan Loeb (Southern Research Station, Department of Forest Resources, Clemson University, was our local host for the meeting and all associated events.

The Chair of the Department of Forest Resources, Dr. Patricia Layton, welcomed the group of about 150 participants to the Colloquium early Friday morning.

Jennifer M. Menzel, a Ph.D. candidate, receives the Best Student Paper award from Dr. Ben Wigley. Her presentation was titled "The foraging range and summer habitat use of Indiana bats in Illinois". She also received a check for $100.

Jennifer recieved her B.S. degree at the University of Georgia in Forest Resources and is working on her Ph.D. at West Virginia University, planning to finish Summer 2003. Her Ph.D. research is on the ecology and habitat use of the endangered Virginia northern flying squirrel. Specifically, she is looking at nesting sites, habitat use and satellite imagery to create a predictive model for quality flying squirrel habitat. Past research includes studies on bats, including C. rafinesquii, M. septentrionalis, and M.sodalis, and work with small mammals.

Nine members of the SBDN Board of Directors met prior to the SBDN meeting on 21 February 2002. Only one Board member, Jeff Gore, FL. was unable to attend.

Pictured at the conclusion of the Board meeting (from left to right): Mick Harvey,Tennessee Tech Univeristy, Cookeville, TN; Ben Wigley, NCASI, Clemson, SC; Mary K. Clark, N. C. State Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC;. Mike Lacki, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Dennis Krusac, U.S. Forest Service, Atlanta, GA; J. D. Wilhide, Arkansas State University; Troy Best, Auburn University, Auburn, AL; David A. Saugey, U.S. Forest Service, Jessieville, AR; Bob Currie, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville, NC.

Mike Warner and Emily Davis, well-known for their support of cave resources and bat conservation, brought many wonderful items ranging from t-shirts and bat stamps to hard-to-find books for professional biologists. For information on their business, Speleobooks, and to order a wide variety of bat and cave goods, check out their website: www.speleobooks.com

A social at the Ramada Inn in Clemson provided the opportunity for old friends to catch-up and for everyone to meet new folks. Lots of good food and drinks were provided by the sponsers. Don't miss the next one-see you in Mississippi, February 2003!