Bats are under unprecedented threat from widespread habitat destruction, invasive species, accelerating climate change, and other stresses. Without concerted international action, bat populations could continue to fall, driving species to extinction.
Working together, we have the power to end bat extinctions worldwide. With the help of partner organizations, we are working to conserve bat species at a global scale and ensure the survival of the most imperiled species.
Embracing the adaptive management approach of the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation (OS), we have outlined what we consider to be some of the highest-impact conservation efforts happening anywhere in the world, prioritized based on rigorous science and shared data. Utilizing the systematic OS framework for planning, implementing, and monitoring, we believe that our projects will result in significant improvements in the preservation of these extraordinary mammals.
Below you can learn more about our portfolio of four comprehensive missions.
Endangered Species Interventions
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified more than 200 bat species around the world as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable).
To try to stabilize these populations and prevent extinction, we’ve outlined four operations to safeguard several highly endangered bat species.
Dan Taylor
Habitat Protection & Restoration
Loss of roosting and foraging habitats is one of the biggest threats to bat populations worldwide. Developing partnerships and collaborations to integrate regional, national, and international efforts are crucial to our conservation mission.
Our habitat protection and restoration work focuses on restoring habitat in critical areas, protecting economically valuable colonies of bats, and abating threats at known roost sites.
Heatherlee Leary
Research and Scalable Solutions
Developing scalable solutions to the severe and emerging threats to bats requires innovative research and global capacity building. Our efforts focus on improving our knowledge of bat populations, which helps inform conservation actions and investments in tools and partnerships.
We conduct high-priority research to accelerate finding solutions to protect bats from the impacts of White-nose Syndrome (WNS) and to reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities. We build global capacity by investing in the next generation of bat conservation leaders by supporting outstanding student scholars in bat conservation and research around the world.
Jonathan Alonzo
Inspire Through Experience
Many of our members and supporters develop lifelong connections to bats, bat conservation, and our organization as a result of their personal experiences in nature — specifically time spent observing and appreciating bats.
These personal stories are why we remain committed to creating impactful nature experiences to deepen connection further and inspire the next generation of bat supporters.
Bat Conservation International’s work includes protecting Bracken Cave Preserve, the largest bat colony in the world with 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats.
Evidence Champion
BCI is recognized as an Evidence Champion by Conservation Evidence because of our commitment to use evidence in our conservation plans and our work to test the efficacy of interventions on protecting bat populations.
Giving
Your Donations = More Bats Protected
When you stand with us, you are joining a global movement committed to fighting bat extinction. Together, we can protect bats, protect their habitats, fund research and more.
Working with partners across the globe we are able to identify and lead critically important conservation projects with clear, achievable actions that prevent the extinction of the world’s most threatened bats.
Director, Endangered Species Interventions