
National Bat Conference 2022
National Bat Conference - 23rd - 25th September 2022
The National Bat Conference is the biggest event in the bat calendar and this year returns as a hybrid event! We will be in person at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre near Stafford and online for those who prefer to join from home. An opportunity to hear from experts, develop your skills and connect with bat workers from across the country - catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Booking is now open!
Click here for virtual tickets
Click here for in person tickets (individuals)
Click here for in person tickets for couples sharing a room with a double bed
This year's conference

Rodrigo Medellin with Chrotopterus by A Varma
Keynote Speaker - Prof Rodrigo Medellin the "Batman of Mexico"
Talks include:
- Update on the work of the Bat Conservation Trust by BCT CEO Kit Stoner
- Multi-scale study of a barbastelle super-colony - Dr Lotty Packman, Wild Wings Ecology
- Modelling continental-scale responses of European bats to climate and land-use change - Penelope Fialas, University of Exeter
- Big City Bats: Species-specific effects of the urban matrix on size and fitness of bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) - Morgan Hughes, University of Wolverhampton, and Scott Brown, University of Exeter
- Bat migration over sea in relation to offshore wind developments - Sander Lagerveld, WUR
- Earned Recognition Pilot and Evaluation - Phil Bowater, Natural England
- 4th Edition of the Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines - Jan Collins, BCT
- Mitigation Guidelines - Paula Reason RSK Biocensus
- 2021 Kate Barlow Award Winner - Laura Torrent, Universidade do Porto
- Acoustic bat lures - Oli Aylen, University of Otago
- Bat Disease Surveillance in the UK: engaging conservation volunteers & bat workers - Lisa Worledge, BCT
Conference programme will also include:
- Workshops on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning - workshop details here
- Friday evening bat walk
- Bat Carers Coffee Break
- Panel discussion "Autumn swarming sites and their protection" chaired by Dr Carol Williams, BCT
- Ecologists Anonymous chaired by Richard Crompton, Ecology on Demand - What are the things you wished you had known sooner? You can anonymously contribute mistakes or lessons learned by clicking here
- Bat-ilates
- Networking and socialising opportunities
- BCT AGM
- Optional Conference Dinner (with entertainment - but no room for a ceilidh)
- Posters, exhibition, batty bazaar, raffle and more!
Yarnfield Park Conference Centre, near Stafford
Venue
For those joining online, the virtual components of the conference will be hosted on Zoom and our event app.
The in person elements of the conference will be held at Yarnfield Park Conference Centre. There is accommodation available on site who those who would like it.
Address: Yarnfield Park Conference Centre, Yarnfield Lane, Yarnfield Staffordshire ST15 0NL
Google map link There is free parking on site. Click here for travel advice to venue.
We will be facilitating car sharing where possible, register your interest at booking.
Tickets - BCT member/non-member
Virtual tickets
- One day only (Saturday or Sunday) £60/£65 per person
- Whole weekend £115/£120 per person
Click here to book your virtual tickets
In person tickets without accommodation
Includes free parking, refreshments and lunch each day
- One day only (Saturday or Sunday) £120/£125 per person
- Whole weekend £168/£173 per person
- Optional extra 2 course dinner for Friday or Saturday night £16 per person
- Optional extra Conference Dinner on Saturday night £40 per person (3 course dinner with wine and entertainment - not a ceilidh)
Click here to book in person tickets without accommodation
In person tickets with accommodation
Includes free parking, refreshments and lunch for both days plus 2 course dinner, bed and breakfast for each night
- Weekend with Saturday night B&B £230/£235 per person
- Weekend with Friday & Saturday nights B&B £292/£297 per person
- Optional extra upgrade Saturday night dinner to Conference Dinner £25 per person (3 course dinner with wine and entertainment - not a ceilidh)
Click here to book in person tickets with accommodation for individuals
There are rooms available with double beds for couples to share with reduced rates
- Weekend with Saturday night B&B £385/£395 per couple
- Weekend with Friday & Saturday nights B&B £478/£488 per couple
- Optional extra upgrade Saturday night dinner to Conference Dinner £25 per person (3 course dinner with wine and entertainment - not a ceilidh)
Click here to book in person tickets with accommodation for couples
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