Bat Conservation

The Bat Conservation Trust is the only national organisation in the UK solely devoted to the conservation of bats and their habitats. It works to help bats through practical conservation projects and research, by supporting and educating people who find bats in their property, and by encouraging everyone to appreciate and enjoy these fascinating and much misunderstood mammals.

The change in the law in Britain regarding bats (see Legal protection) led to the formation of over 90 local bat groups. They work with the Statutory Nature Organisations and The Bat Conservation Trust to reassure and inform the public about bats. Some bat groups are very small, others have many members and do a great deal of bat work.

Here are some of the things batworkers do to help conserve bats:

Visit people who have bats in their homes.
Organise events and bat walks.
Regularly count bats emerging from roosts.
Make surveys to find out more about where bats live and feed.
Give talks to both adults and children.
Improve gardens and parks to encourage bats, often putting
up bat boxes.
Protect caves and mines that are important to bats.
Help educate builders, surveyors and others who may come
across bats in their work.

The Bat Conservation Trust also works with bat workers in other countries to help overcome the problems which threaten bats.

Wherever you live, there is someone not too far away whom you can ask about bats. The Bat Conservation Trust can put you in touch with your nearest bat group.