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  3. Bat Workers Forum

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.

Date of next meeting: 7pm Thursday 24th October 2024 on zoom.

Following feedback in last year's BWF, there will be a new format to the event this year. Updates and supporting documentation will be gathered in advanced and circulated to those booked to attend as well as added to this page (approx. the beginning of October). The event will then be held 3 weeks later, with shorter presentations and more time for discussion. We hope this change will 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

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 Agencies (SNCOs) are encouraged to participate, as are representatives from other organisations where appropriate.

Please note due to this event now taking place after the National Bat Conference, the winner of the Pete Guest Award will first be announced at National Conference, and the winner invited to give their acceptance speech at the BWF as well.

The event is free to attend, with the option of adding a donation to BCT's bat group work. 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.

Minutes From Previous Bat Workers Forums

For more information please see the full terms of reference and an example agenda.

Conferences & Symposia