Bat Research Program Invites Locals To Get Involved & Make A Difference

It’s Bat Appreciation Day, and honestly, these little nighttime flyers deserve a lot more credit than they get, especially here in Minnesota.

While some people still get a little uneasy at the sight of a bat darting across the evening sky, the truth is... they’re one of the most helpful (and fascinating) animals we have in Minnesota.

MINNESOTA - THE LAND OF 10,000 BATS

Minnesota is home to eight different species of bats, including the little brown bat, big brown bat, and eastern red bat. You might not realize it, but chances are you’ve seen them before. They are easiest to see just as the sun is setting and the sky starts to dim. That’s when they get ready for work and start flying in the air over lakes, rivers, and probably your backyard.

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HARD WORKING BATS

When I say “getting to work,” I mean it. Bats are basically nature’s pest control, and they are incredibly good at their job. According to the Minnesota DNR, one brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in just one hour! Think about that for a second...while we're dousing ourselves in mosquito spray, or running indoors at the moment they descend on our backyard party, bats are out there doing the heavy lifting, no bug spray required.

SUPER SONIC

What makes bats even more amazing is how they hunt. They don’t rely on eyesight the way we do. Instead, they use something called echolocation. As they fly, bats send out high-pitched sounds. The sounds they make are so high-pitched that humans can't hear them. (Our dogs, on the other hand? Hmmmm...I'm not sure!) Those sounds bounce off objects and return as echoes, helping bats figure where everything is...a tree branch, the lake, and most importantly, where their next meal is flying.

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HELICOPTER LOUD

And here’s something wild that I just learned. Those tiny little bats are loud!!!! Some of their calls reach up to 100 decibels, which is about as loud as a helicopter or even a rock concert.

Can you imagine if we COULD hear them? The only reason our evenings stay peaceful is that those sounds are way beyond what human ears can pick up. Otherwise, stepping outside at dusk might sound a lot different.

WHITE-NOISE SYNDROME IS THREATENING BATS

White-Noise Syndrome...Yes, it IS a real thing. All across North America, including right here in Minnesota, bat populations have been hit hard by a disease called white-nose syndrome. It’s a fungal disease that affects bats while they hibernate, and it has already killed millions. Some of Minnesota’s bat species are now considered threatened because of it, which makes conservation efforts more important than ever.

HELP SAVE BATS- HELP WITH THE BAT RESEARCH PROGRAM

That’s where people like us can actually make a difference. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is launching a bat research program that gives everyday Minnesotans a chance to help. Volunteers can assist by placing recording devices around their property that capture bat calls. You can also help by observing maternity roosts during the summer months, especially in June and July when activity is highest. Don't worry if you don't know how. The pros can teach you what you need to be looking for.

LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP TODAY TO HELP OUR FLYING FRIENDS

It’s a pretty incredible opportunity. You can help scientists gather important data, but it's also a way for you to connect with a part of nature that most of us don’t spend much time thinking about.

Your observations directly help guide conservation efforts and protect bat populations for the future. You can sign up and learn more through the Minnesota DNR’s community science page, OR BY CLICKING HERE NOW.

DON'T BE AFRAID

So tonight, as the sun is setting, take a moment to look up. You don't need to be afraid. Bats have NO interest in harming you. They’re tiny, hardworking creatures doing an important job for all of us, and since it's Bat Appreciation Day, we should be celebrating these beautiful, unique creatures of the night.