Numerous species and plentiful populations of bats have long been an iconic image of summer evenings. Using their amazing sensory systems, the winged mammals swoop and dive, twist and turn as they pursue equally agile insects in mid-air. Although bats have gained a reputation for keeping bad company – think Dracula – the truth is they are relatively harmless, and immensely important to ecosystems across the world.

Current threats to bat populations in Maine, the Northeast, and much of the United States are growing. White Nose Syndrome is killing bats of many species by the millions each year. Many bat populations have disappeared, and the future of some species hangs on the research of conservation scientists. These are truly dire times to be a bat!

Concerned citizen-scientist, and bat enthusiast Annie Kassler will be at Hidden Valley Nature Center on the evening of August 13^th 6:30-8pm. She is going to give a great overview of the importance of bats to Maine’s ecosystems, as well as bring us up to date on current population threats and concerns. The evening will also include plenty of information on how to be more involved in saving what remains of Maine’s bat populations. Who knows maybe we’ll even have a chance to observe bats winging over Haybale Pond that evening at HVNC.

There is a suggested donation of $5 for this event and space is limited. If you would like to attend please visit www.hvnc.org for more details, but also to register. Seating space will be given first to those who register, but walk-ins are welcome.

Hidden Valley Nature Center, located in Jefferson, is a community based non-profit organization with nearly 1000 acres of diverse habitat dedicated to providing nature based educational and non-motorized recreational opportunities to the community throughout the year. For more information on HVNC, visit hvnc.org, call 200-8840, or email codey@hvnc.org.