Roost Awards 2023 - submissions open

Sometimes it becomes necessary to create new roosts to replace ones that have been unavoidably lost to development, when this happens it is referred to as mitigation. This should only happen when preventing the loss has been thoroughly investigated as set out by the Mitigation Hierarchy.

The Roost project promotes best practice mitigation through the sharing of bat roost designs and enhancement case studies, partnership working and improving products to improve the built environment for bats.

The Roost Awards focus on showcasing exemplar work; entries are scored on data collection, design, planning and monitoring, but also what lessons can be learned and remedial actions taken. Submissions for the 2023 Awards are now open until 1^st March 2023, with the winner being announced at the National Bat Conference 2023!

Jo Ferguson, Built Environment Manager for the Bat Conservation Trust, explained: “Case studies should clearly show consideration for data collection at the baseline and monitoring stages, a thorough understanding of the planning and design process but also be able to reflect on learning acquired through this process.”

Judges for the Awards include academics, nature conservation bodies and previous winners; in this case the 2021 winner Chris Damant from Bernwood ECS Ltd for “Avoidance of swarming site loss during restoration works at Cliveden.”

To find out more and to submit a case study, visit the Roost case studies webpage and for any queries please email: roost@bats.org.uk