Fly into Bat Week

Just in time for Halloween, Bat Week (October 24-31, 2016) kicks off today, highlighting the many ways these furry nocturnal flyers benefit the ecosystem. By feeding on common agricultural pests and other insects, bats are a farmer’s best friend. They also play a critical role in plant pollination and seed dispersal. They’re good for the planet, the economy, and the diversity of our local flora.  But bats are facing some serious threats, such as invasive plants, lack of available habitat, and white-nose syndrome.

Friends of the Chicago River has long recognized the ecological value of bats and the need for increased habitat. Since 2015, we’ve been installing maternity colonies at river-edge forest preserves that can house thousands of mother and baby bats. Read more here. 

Friends is also encouraging people to join our upcoming restoration workdays. By getting rid of harmful invasive plants and restoring bat-friendly native varieties, we can keep these vulnerable critters—and our local environment—healthy and thriving.

This Sunday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., join us at LaBagh Woods for river and forest revitalization efforts that help river-dependent species like bats survive.

For more information about volunteer workdays, click here.