If bats are of interest to you, you can help build a shelter for them during International Bat Week.
Held from Oct. 24 to 31, according to a release from Community Bat Programs of B.C., the goal is to help the public learn about bats, what they contribute to nature and what residents can do locally.
“Bats in BC help control agricultural and forest pests, as well as mosquitoes in our yards — but now bats need our help," Regional Coordinator for the BC Community Bat Program, Metro Vancouver-Squamish region Danielle Dagenais says.
“The conservation of bats in B.C. has always been important, since over half the species in this province are considered at risk. With the continuing spread of White-nose Syndrome in Washington State, bat conservation is more important than ever as we expect to see impacts in B.C. in the near future."
Bat Week marks the time of the year when bats leave neighbourhoods until the return of spring weather. The program says during this time, it is ideal to do renovations that were delayed due to bat presence.
"You can clean out and repair a bat box, or do bat-friendly exclusion work, without disturbing or injuring bats," an explainer reads.
"If you do see a bat in winter, please report it. Monitoring for white-nose syndrome in BC will continue this winter, with Community Bat Programs requesting reports of dead bats or sightings of winter bat activity."
You can report bat sightings by calling 1-855-922-2287 ext. 11 or sending an email to vancouver@bcbats.ca.
To participate in Bat Week, the Burnaby Village Museum is hosting a bat box workshop on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dagenais will help participants create a shelter for bats, with the boxes becoming a multi-chambered bat home that can be installed outside a home, rural cabin or on a farm.
There will also be a half an hour introductory presentation about local bats and the importance of bat boxes preceding box building.
Family groups (five years and older) are able to have up to eight participants and adult groups can have up to four. Only one registration is needed per group. Snacks are also included.
A group rate (up to eight people) is $90. Interested workshop participants can register online.
