CORNWALL, ON – The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences and Ontario Power Generation are going batty. On Wednesday, August 7^th between the hours of 7 pm and 9 pm the St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre in Cornwall will host a Bat Workshop. Geared towards the entire family, this workshop will feature a special presentation with Cornwall’s very own Batman, Dr. Brian Hickey.

Dr. Brian is a research scientist, ecologist, and educator at the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences in Cornwall. He has studied bats in North America, Mexico and Africa, and is one of Canada’s leading authorities on bat ecology. His interest in all living things, combined with his fascinating photos and engaging speaking style come together for a much anticipated presentation that the whole family will enjoy!

Dr. Brian says, “Bats are amazing creatures and despite their false reputation for flying into hair and carrying disease, with more than 1000 species worldwide, they are one of the most diverse and ecologically important groups of mammals on the planet.” He added, “This time of year we typically see an increase because the young are just learning to fly.”

The public is invited to come out and explore the role bats play in natural ecosystems and find out about some of the threats facing bat populations around the world. Workshop participants will also learn about the interesting characteristics and behaviours of bats and may just also get to see the real thing.

These Environmental Education Workshops are free of charge. The OPG Visitor Centre also offers displays and interactive exhibits that describe the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project construction story and its effects on the nearby communities. Visitors can also learn and observe how OPG safely generates electricity at its nuclear, thermal and hydro generating stations located across Ontario. Visit www.opg.com/stlawrencevisitorcentre for details, or call 613-932-4563 ext. 3523. The OPG St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre is located at 2500 B Second Street West, Cornwall