Non-profit Spreads Awareness Through Bat Conservation
Some might say that bats are more of a nuisance than an environmental ally. But one thing the Lubee Bat Conservancy is aiming to teach Greater Gainesville residents is that these winged creatures are just what the local community needs.
The conservancy provides engaging programs to educate the public about bats, their importance and how they are not really scary at all.
“The main thing we’re looking for is to bust myths about bats,” said Meghan Ingson, Lubee social media marketing coordinator. “There’s a lot of poor misconceptions about bats out there, and we want people to understand that bats aren’t so scary and they’re really great for the environment.”
With a focus on educating children, Lubee hopes to inspire the younger generation to continue with conservation efforts.
“I first fell in love and got interested in bats and bat conservation when I was a kid, too,” Ingson said. “As they grow up, they’re going to share all that cool information with everyone they meet.”
To spread more understanding about bats, Lubee’s programs allow visitors to see the colonial creatures in their natural habitats, such as Bat Photo Day, Yoga with Bats and the annual Bat Fest.
Photo Day invites photographers of all skill levels to visit the conservancy to take up close pictures of the photogenic flyers. Yoga with Bats includes a 60-minute yoga class inspired by the Eutherian mammal, done in collaboration with local Gainesville studio Kardiya Yoga.
This October, the organization will host the annual Florida Bat Festival, which brings in more than 5,000 attendees yearly. The family-friendly event boasts games and activities for the whole family, local artisans, local food trucks, bat experts and more.
In addition to providing fun ways for GG to engage with these unique creatures, Lubee also seeks to help people understand how the efforts to care for and conserve them benefit the community.
“All of our native species are insect-eating bats, and we know Florida has a lot of pests out there,” Ingson said. “We definitely appreciate our local bats for eating all of the bugs around here, and that’s probably one of the biggest impacts they have, specifically here in Gainesville.”
Residents are also encouraged to build bat houses in their backyards and communities to aid in conservation efforts. According to Ingson, a bat house is a great way to give back. Because GG is constantly growing and changing, they provide safe spaces in the area for these small, flying animals.
For those who are interested in working with Lubee, the organization also offers volunteer and internship opportunities to learn about these captivating critters, see them up close, care for them, help with large projects and more.
As Lubee continues its conservation efforts, the Greater Gainesville community will continue to be a large part of its success. Donations are always needed to keep the organization running, but perhaps the biggest help is developing an appreciation and understanding of the bats themselves.
“We love to get the community involved in the care and conservation of bats,” Ingson said. “Bats are really inquisitive animals, they’re always super active, social and just in general having a fun time enjoying life.”