Press Kit
FACT SHEET:
Bats Northwest, Inc.
P. O. Box 3026
Lynnwood, WA 98046
(206) 256-0406
www.batsnorthwest.org
Overview
Bats Northwest is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1996 by scientists, educators, and interested lay people to help protect Pacific Northwest bat populations through education and research. Bats Northwest envisions a future where the essential role of bats is understood, where the public recognizes the vital place of bats in our environment and economy, and where all are inspired by bats’ remarkable attributes and invaluable contribution to our natural heritage. To this end we work to educate the general public about bats, we join with government biologists to research and protect local bat populations, we act as a conduit of information about bats, and we encourage responsible attitudes and actions in human/bat conflicts.
Membership Profile
Our members are drawn from government agencies, academia, private industry, other conservation organizations, and the general public.
Key Services
Education
Each year BNW presents dozens of informative talks at schools, service clubs, garden clubs and other forums. Age-specific curricula available for educators. Colorful media shows available. Our members are on hand through the Internet and by phone to answer questions.
Professional Workshops
Technical presentations to naturalists, pest control operators, environmentalists, health workers, veterinarian groups, etc.
Research
Members are active in on-going research on native bat populations in cooperation with organizations such as the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and County Park systems. We work with these and other conservation organizations to protect known bat roosts and provide habitat for bats.
Health Issues
We work in cooperation with Health Department officials to solve problems caused by bat/human interactions. We teach safe exclusion methods.
Information Clearinghouse
Reliable, factual information about bats, bat conservation and other concerns related to NW bats.
Collaborative Projects
Bat and Rabies Workshop with Washington State Department of Health; Founding members NW Chapter of the Western Bat Working Group; Authored "Living with Bats in King County" brochure for King County Wildlife Program.
Website: www.batsnorthwest.org
Up-to-date, accurate information gives immediate answers to common questions, current bat issues, and inquiry options.
Newsletter
Published quarterly. Highlights NW species, upcoming "bat" events, books, interesting bat facts, and current research. Circulation: 500+
Bat Questions
Information provided for hundreds of web and phone inquiries.
Bat Walks
Free to the public at local parks in the summer. Bat experts using bat detectors find local species overhead and teach bat natural history.
Bat House Education
We provide proven bat house plans designed for the NW, and information on their installation and maintenance.
Docent Training
Volunteers receive their "B.A.", becoming "Bat Ambassadors", to educate the public about the vital role bats play in our natural heritage.
Collaboration with:
- Washington State Department of Health
- King and Pierce County Health Departments
- Washington State Fish and Wildlife Department
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- The Nature Conservancy Bat Conservation
- Western Bat Working Group
- King County Parks and Recreation Department
- Cave Habitat Management Working Group
BAT FACTS
There are 15 bat species native to Washington. The Washington Department of Wildlife lists nine bat species as "Species of Special Concern". The Townsend's big-eared bat is one of our rarest Puget Sound bats. They are very dependent on caves, where they hibernate and raise their young. This bat is extremely sensitive to human disturbance - entire established colonies have disappeared following disturbance.
Bats you're likely to see (or hear) around Puget Sound:
- Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus
- Yuma Myotis Myotis yumanensis
- Keen's Myotis Myotis keenii
- Long-eared Myotis Myotis evotis
- Long-legged Myotis Myotis volans
- California Myotis Myotis californicus
- Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus
- Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans
- Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus
- Townsend's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus Townsendii
Additional Washington State Bats
- Pallid Bat Antrozous pallidus
- Fringed Myotis Myotis thysanodes
- Small-footed Myotis Myotis ciliolabrum
- Western Pipistrelle Pipistrellus hesperus
- Spotted Bat Euderma maculatum
Bats are the only flying mammals. Bats are extremely beneficial because they eat enormous numbers of insects. The numbers of bats have decreased because of disturbances to their colonies while they are hibernating and when mothers are nursing offspring.