The Bat Workers Forum (BWF) is an annual meeting held online open to anyone interested in bats, regardless of whether the interest is professional or voluntary and regardless of experience.
Last meeting was held on 24 October 2024. Date of next meeting: October 2025.
A new format was tried in 2024. Updates and supporting documentation were gathered in advanced and circulated to those booked to attend as well as added to this page. The event was held with shorter presentations and more time for discussion. This change aimed to allow more back and forth on topics given in the updates and for any further items to be raised during the event.
The aims of the forum are to:
- facilitate communication and the sharing of experience between all bat workers and those interested in bats, regardless of knowledge or experience
- enable the concerns, views and opinions of bat workers, bat groups and anyone interested in bats to be shared and discussed and, where relevant, communicated through to BCT and SNCOs
- enable feedback, from the relevant parties (e.g. BCT or SNCOs) on issues previously raised
- a round up of major issues and/or highlights from attendees
Attendance
The meeting is chaired by a member of BCT's Board of Trustees and several members of BCT staff (including representatives from the National Bat Helpline and BCT's senior management team) attend. Representatives of the UK’s Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) are encouraged to participate, as are representatives from other organisations where appropriate.
The event is free to attend, with the option of adding a donation to support bat group work via the Partner Group Support Fund. Providing grants to support bat group projects and bursaries for attendance at National Conference.
To enable raising of views, there is the opportunity to submit priorities or things of concern during the booking form. This question is removed from the booking form in advance of the event to enable responses to be gathered. Booking remains open until the day.
Documents for the Bat Workers Forum 2024
Minutes From Previous Bat Workers Forums
If you require minutes for earlier Forums, please request via the Bat Groups Officer on batgroups@bats.org.uk.
