Stay in the know about wildlife, water quality, and ecosystems on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and in Southwest Florida
Bat Week Education in Action
To celebrate Bat Week at the end of October, SCCF went across Southwest Florida to promote the conservation of our nocturnal neighbors.
SCCF Wildlife Biologist Mike Mills spent the week giving educational talks about the importance of bats to local ecosystems and the simple ways residents can support them.
At the Sanibel School and the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach, 4th grade students and local residents alike learned how bats play a vital role in controlling insects such as mosquitos and pollinating native plants. They also learned about SCCF’s ongoing bat monitoring and acoustic research that helps identify certain bat species and their populations across Pine Island sound.
Finally, attendees discovered how native bats contribute to the balance of coastal ecosystems and how habitat restoration efforts — like the installation of bat houses — are helping populations recover after the latest hurricanes.
In addition to the already built rocket-style bat house at the Bailey Homestead Preserve, SCCF partnered up with the Hammerheads to build two more rocket-style bat houses for the island. The rocket design offers a full 360-degree roosting space, allowing bats to move throughout the day to regulate temperature.
“As SCCF works to rebuild roosting habitat and inspire future conservationists, the message remains clear: By protecting bats, we’re protecting the balance of our island’s natural world,” Mills said.