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Bat World NOVA was established in 2001 to promote the conservation and protection of the region's bats and to introduce the wonderful world of bats to the area's children. Located in Annandale, Virginia, Bat World NOVA promotes bat conservation in the ever-growing Washington Metropolitan area. Please see our 2002 and 2003 reports for additional information.

Wildlife in urban areas is under constant assault owing to habitat loss, degradation of stream valleys, pollution, wastewater runoff, overuse of fertilizers and pesticides and the constant onslaught of too many people and their companion animals, houses, and cars. What green space and healthy habitat remains is used for recreation and must be managed for human safety, not necessarily for the health of wildlife.
While some types of wildlife seem to benefit from urbanization (gray squirrels, red fox, coyotes, raccoons, white tail deer, and Canada geese) most suffer dramatic declines. Clearing of woodlands destroys the tree hollows used by bats and cavity-nesting birds such as woodpeckers and owls and loss of tree cover removes shelter for songbirds, forest mammals, and reptiles. Loss of contiguous wild space fragments the breeding territories of box turtles and other reptiles and many mammals. Degradation of wetlands and waterways and erosion of stream valleys removes crucial salamander, fish and invertebrate habitat. The casual use of pesticides destroys millions of pollinating and predatory insects and the animals that rely on them.
Bats suffer from all of the above and then some. Metropolitan Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia are home to approximately 10 species of bats. One of  these, the Indiana bat,  is listed on state and federal endangered and threatened species lists. Our other species are the big brown bat, the little brown bat, the evening bat, the eastern pipistrelle, the red bat , the hoary bat, the silver-haired bat (pictured), the small footed myotis, and the northern myotis. While most of our species are not yet threatened, they are all suffering dramatic population declines. Bats' habitat and foraging areas disappear as woodlands are cleared. Aquatic insect populations on which our bats prey become scarcer as waterways are polluted or eroded. Habitats become unusable when standing ponds or wetlands are destroyed because bats must roost within 1/4 mile of a water source. Pesticides destroy the insects bats rely on and poisons the bats themselves. Companion animals, particularly cats left outdoors, maim and kill thousands of bats annually. And finally, human attitudes cause thousands of bats to be evicted from the few remaining roost sites they've found--usually wooden structures such as houses, barns and garages. Bats are routinely killed out of hand if they're found near human habitation because of overreaction about public health concerns or unfounded fear and superstition.

How can you help the region's bats?

  • Join Bat World! And support local conservancy organizations such as Audubon Naturalist Society, Potomac Conservancy, etc.

  • Install a bat house. Several area nature centers offer bat house workshops. Some bird and garden supply stores also sell bat houses.

  • Use Integrated Pest Management techniques instead of pesticides in your garden. See the USDA's excellent backyard conservation website for more information.

  • Turn off that bug zapper! Bats do a better job and bug zappers kill insects indiscriminately. You are taking out the good along with the bad when you use a bug zapper.

  • Install a pond or water garden. In addition to beautifying your yard, you'll give bats a place to get a drink of water. A healthy pond will support a population of aquatic insects for your bat to dine on as well.

  •  If at all possible, let dead trees stand. If there is no danger to persons or buildings, leaving dead trees, called snags, standing provides habitat for bats, cavity nesting birds, small mammals, and bark dwelling insects.

  • Attend an educational program to learn more about bats and other native wildlife.

Batty things to do in the Metro area

  • Book an EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM with Bat World NOVA!

    The Loudon Wildlife Conservancy is a very active local
    conservation group that leads fantastic trips and activities.

  • Here is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Northern
    Virginia's wildlife and natural history:
    NEST (Neighborhood Ecological Stewardship Training)
     

  • The National Aquarium in Baltimore's exhibit
    Australia Wild Extremes is now open and has gray-headed
    flying foxes, though rumor has it they don't like to be seen!
     

  • Hang out at your local pond at dusk and watch the bats fly!

  •   Take in a bat program at any of the nature centers in Fairfax, Arlington, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
Photos © Bat World NOVA. All rights reserved. No photos may be downloaded and used on another Internet site without express permission of Bat World NOVA.

 

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