Press release from the Bat Conservation Trust: Welcome to BatFest

We are delighted to announce BatFest - a new annual festival in the British wildlife calendar. Join us to celebrate Britain’s amazing nocturnal flying mammals during a whole month of opportunities to discover more about bats.

BatFest launches on International Bat Night, 29th August, and runs throughout September with a range of daily events and activities, sharing the incredible world of bats. For daily updates keep your eyes on social media posts by the Bat Conservation Trust @_bct_ and the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project @devonbatproject

Most events will be online, many of them are free, and we have something for everyone, from art, film, photography and story telling to science, wildlife gardening, bat heroes, baking and exciting bat walks.

Whether you don’t know your bats from your birds or are an experienced bat worker, keep an eye on the hashtags #BatFest and #GoBats and follow these web links for booking details:
http://devonbatproject.org/events

https://www.bats.org.uk/events/batfest

This Saturday, August 29, join us online from 6-7pm for our free launch event co-hosted by TV presenter Chis Packham and Bat Helpline manager Hannah van Hesteren. There will be a variety of guests joining Chris and Hannah including some flying, furry ones.

We will answer lots of important questions like: Are bats really just flying mice? How do they find their way around in the dark? Why are we bothered about bats? What is the weirdest call Hannah has had on the Helpline? What is Chris's favourite bat?

Chris Packham said: “As President of the Bat Conservation Trust I am excited to be involved with Batfest, a wonderful new festival in our wildlife calendar, a whole month of natural history wonder, brimming with opportunities to discover more about these extraordinary animals. I have always been a huge admirer of bats - here is a chance to find out why! No doubt Batfest will deservedly expand the bat fan club!”

Book here: www.bats.org.uk/our-work/conferences-symposia/bat-fest/batfest-launch

Head to our BatFest links for more events and resources on helping bats. You can enjoy free activities, dip into individual events or buy a BatFest multi-ticket and enjoy access to all of BCT's events in one package. Look out for our art competition for younger bat fans too.

BatFest highlights:

• BatFest Launch - August 29 (International Bat Night)

• Virtual Bat Walk - August 30

• Bats and the Arts Workshop - August 31 with animator Clara Prieto & award winning photographer Paul Colley

• National Bat Conference - September 5 & 6

• Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Conference - September 17 & 18

• Global Bat Conservation Showcase - September 23

• Bat Science Stage - September 30

• How to help bats - advice each day on #BatFest social media

• Bat care heroes

• Children’s art competition

If you are unable to attend our events you can still download our FREE International Bat Night Pack, which contains a range of ideas and resources on how you can celebrate bats: https://www.bats.org.uk/support-bats/international-bat-night

Media enquiries:

For more information please contact the Bat Conservation Trust at comms@bats.org

Direct Line: 0207 820 7168