What we do

There is a diverse range of work carried out - both on the ground and behind the scenes - to help secure the future of bats in our changing world. 

The Bat Conservation Trust supports over 100 local bat groups and 6000 members and works with volunteers, scientists, industry and government both locally and nationally on a range of projects.  To achieve our vision of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together, our work focuses on discovering more about bats and how they use the landscape, taking action to protect bats and enhance the landscapes on which they rely, inspiring people about bats and their environment, engaging them in their conservation and strengthen our work by building skills, resources, motivation and understanding.  Our work includes:

• National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP), which monitors populations trends for 11 species of bats.
• Biodiversity Policy & Lobbying work, involving promoting the conservation of bats through the UK's Biodiversity Action Planning System and via policy, consultation and advocacy. 
• Working in Partnership with other species' conservation organisations to deliver wider gains for protected species and biodiversity.
• Bats, Building and Development, which offers practical information on considering bats in developments and provides details of our work in this area. This ties closely with information in Planning and the Law.
• Bat Crime Investigations project, which aims to reduce the number of bat-related crime through education, and the pursuit of prosecutions where appropriate.
• The 'Landscapes for Lessers' Project, which is working at the landscape level in Wales to address threats to the lesser horseshoe bat.
• Guidance and training for professionals produced by BCT to encourage good practice across a range of sectors, engaging professionals, such as builders, landowners and woodland managers, in conserving bats.

For over 20 years the Bat Conservation Trust has been the leading NGO solely devoted to the conservation of bats and the landscapes on which they rely.