Resources for Bat Groups
Here, you can download a range of information specifically relevant to local bat groups.
If you would like further information, or if you have any comments or suggestions for additional resources that your group would find useful to have on this page, please contact BCT's Bat Groups Officer.
Information Sharing
Bat Group Blog (NEW):This new addition to the BCT website allows local bat groups to share information about up-and-coming local bat events and success stories. If you have something that you would like posted on the blog, please contact BCT's Bat Groups Officer.
Read the Bat Group Blog
The Bat Group Forum: This is an event held three times a year, bringing together batworkers from across the UK to meet and discuss bat-related issues. The next meeting will be in Leeds on 17th May 2008. Follow the adjacent link to download archived minutes.
More information on the Bat Group Forum
Bat Group Mail-outs: BCT's weekly/fortnightly mail-outs to bat group contacts are now available to download online.
Browse the Bat Group Mail-out Archive
Funding Opportunities
Bat Group Support Fund: Each year, BCT supports a number of small-scale, local, practical bat conservation projects through the Bat Group Support Fund. A proportion of the fund is also used to provide a limited number of bursaries for attending the BCT National Conference.
More information on the Bat Group Support Fund
'Awards for All': Awards for all grants are available in all four countries in the UK. The scheme awards grants between £300 and £10,000 (the maximum varies between countries) for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.
http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/
In the past, this fund has been used by bat groups to purchase new equipment and materials for training, and to cover costs of raising awareness.
Community Spaces: Community Spaces is a £50 million open grants programme that is managed by Groundwork UK as
an Award Partner to the Big Lottery Fund. The programme helps community groups create or improve green and open spaces so that the quality of life in neighbourhoods across England is enhanced. For instance, perhaps your group could work with a public land owner to develop and maintain a bat garden.
http://www.community-spaces.org.uk/
Example project: working with the community to develop and maintain a bat garden
Awards and Recognition
Pete Guest Award: The Pete Guest Award is given in memory of Pete Guest; the award is given to batworkers who have made a major contribution to bat conservation. Nominees are voted on by the at the autumn Bat Group Forum and the award presented at the BCT National Conference. Previous winners include Tony Hutson, Phil Richardson and John Haddow. A list of all past winners and nominees is available from BCT's Bat Groups Officer.
Batworker profile (NEW): Every month or so we hope to champion local bat workers by profiling them on our website. If there's someone in your group who's perhaps a long-standing and repected member; or maybe a new member who's brought fresh ideas/energy the group (and wouldn't mind being featured on our site!) please do tell us about them. All we'll need is a couple of paragraphs about which group(s) their in, what they do and a photo.
Go to the current Bat Worker profile.
Other
Leaflet order form: BCT Leaflets are available free of charge for use at events and shows, or for distribution amongst members - although we're always very grateful for contributions towards postage and packaging! Just return our completed leaflet order form to enquiries@bats.org.uk and let us know when you need them by.
Download the leaflet order form (intended for double-sided printing)
BCT Affiliation: Bat Groups can affiliate to BCT on payment of a fee of £50 a year. (Concessionary rates for new and small groups are also available, and can be discussed with the Bat Group Officer). An important benefit of affiliation is that the Bat Group is covered under the BCT's Third Party Public Liability Insurance for an indemnity of up to £5 million. To find out more about additional benefits, please see our Guide to Affiliation.
Affiliation application form (for Bat Groups that are not currently affiliated)
Affiliation renewal form
Training: Go to the BCT 2008 Training Brochure
For the full range of BCT's publications, please visit the publications page.