Vona Kuczynska

Headshot photo of Vona Kuczynska in front of moss covered karst taken by USFWS.
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Address

101 Park Deville Drive Suite A
Columbia, MO 65203
United States

About Vona Kuczynska

As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, I complete section 7 Endangered Species Act consultations and work with federal agencies to assess and minimize impacts of proposed projects on threatened and endangered species. I also serve as the National Recovery Coordinator for cave and karst dependent Gray Bat and Grotto Sculpin. I am also member of the USFWS Range-wide Bat Survey Guidelines Team and help develop standards for listed bat surveys and an instructor for the Evaluating Acoustic Bat Surveys for ESA Compliance Course taught at the National Conservation Training Center. 

While I work with a variety of above and belowground wildlife, my primary interest lies in the field of bat ecology. I enjoy conducting a wide variety of bat surveys and research projects that promote bat conservation and help inform natural resource management decisions in Missouri and across the U.S. 

Education:

M.S. 2015. University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO. Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 

B.S. 2007. Rutgers University, New Brunswick N.J. Ecology and Natural Resources. 

Email Vona for ESA Consultation if actions are associated with the following:

  • Farm Service Agency
  • Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): North of Missouri River
  • National Resource Conservation Science (NRCS)
  • USACE: Rock Island District
  • USACE: St. Louis District, North of Missouri River
  • USFWS Partners Program
Areas of expertise
National Recovery Lead for Gray Bat
10(a)1(a) Recovery Permits for Bats
USFWS Bat Survey Guidelines

From The Library

USFWS Recommended DNA Sampling Methods For Bat Species Identification

The information herein provides researchers with options and methods for collecting DNA samples from live bats for which visual species identification may be unreliable and a more definitive method is necessary. These recommendations are intended to mitigate impacts to individual bats,...

Recovery Permit Bat Application Tips

When reviewing recovery permit applications for gray bat (Myotis grisescens), Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus...

Range-wide Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) was originally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 (32 FR 4001, March 11, 1967), and continues to be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. In 2015, the U.S. Fish and...

Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines FAQ 2022

Frequently asked questions about the update to the Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat summer survey guidelines document in 2022.