OUR MISSION TO END BAT EXTINCTIONS WORLDWIDE

Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025

2 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Bats lead us to the ‘‘best opportunities to protect nature anywhere in the world.

MIKE DAULTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

42 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Bats are vital to our Contents world’s ecosystems 03 Values and and economy, but Principles

hundreds of species 04 Executive are currently under threat. Summary

We’re working worldwide 05 The Conservation to conserve caves, restore Portfolio MISSIONS critical habitats in danger, One ...... 07 Two ...... 11 and ensure the survival Three ...... 15 Four ...... 19 1.9403° S, 29.8739° E of these extraordinary 21 WE ARE RWANDA mammals. Your investment Conclusion can help us make a global impact by bringing our ON A ambitious plan to life. The clock is ticking. Together MISSION. we can create change.

3 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

BCICORE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

Passionate. Innovative. Collaborative.

To accomplish lasting conservation We bring passion and dedication Our team uses cutting-edge We believe collaboration to our mission, and inspire people tools, technology, and training is fundamental to effective victories, we dedicate ourselves to take action to protect bats to redefine what is possible in global conservation. We work side by around the world. conservation. We lead with action, side with our partners to ensure to the highest standards. We are: experimenting with innovative lasting conservation successes. conservation strategies to prove their effectiveness, and deploy them at scale.

Dedicated to end extinctions. Science-based. Results-focused. Inclusive. Committed. Steadfast.

We have a moral duty to prevent Effective conservation requires We prioritize work where it will We seek to include people of all We strive for operational efficiency We aim to provide a return to our the extinction of the world’s most science at every stage: establishing have the most meaningful impact backgrounds in bat conservation. and manage our budgets with donors on their investment in the vulnerable wildlife, and focus on criteria for prioritizing targets, for bats and their habitats, delivering We are respectful visitors to the verifiable financial strength. Our form of world-class, effective the rarest and most vulnerable selecting conservation strategies, tangible, measurable, and biological countries where we work — seeking diverse income streams — gifts, conservation, and we keep them bats and their habitats. executing field work, interpreting conservation outcomes. to learn, understand, and honor memberships, grants, and contracts informed on how their investments results, and assessing impact. the historical, cultural, political, and — ensure we are positioned to help us accomplish meaningful economic context of our projects. accomplish our mission over time. results for bats and their habitats.

4 Strategic Plan 2020–2025 AUSTRALIAN GHOST BAT MACRODERMA GIGAS

MISSION ONE EXECUTIVE Implement Endangered SUMMARY Species Interventions MISSION TWO Bats have been on Earth for more Embracing the adaptive management than 50 million years. With over 1,400 approach of the Open Standards for species, they are the second largest the Practice of Conservation (OS), Protect and order of mammals, and are widely we built a portfolio of four comprehensive dispersed across six continents. Globally, missions with explicit and measurable Restore Landscapes bats provide vital ecosystem services goals to protect critically endangered in the form of insect pest consumption, bat species and habitats. The work is plant pollination, and seed dispersal, focused on high-priority conservation making them essential to the health of targets, and prioritized based on rigorous MISSION THREE global ecosystems. Today, bats are under science and shared data. Utilizing the unprecedented threat from widespread systematic OS framework for planning, habitat destruction, hunting, accelerated implementing, and monitoring, we have Conduct High-Priority climate change, invasive species, clearly defined strategies for success and other stresses. Without concerted and confidence that our projects will international action, their populations result in significant improvements in Research and Develop will continue to fall, driving many outcomes for bats. species to extinction. In this strategic plan, we have outlined Scalable Solutions Working together, we have the power what we believe to be some of the to end bat extinctions worldwide. With highest-impact conservation efforts the help of partner organizations, we will happening anywhere in the world. MISSION FOUR work to conserve bats at a global scale, Bats are vital to our world’s ecosystems prevent further extinctions, protect critical and global economy. They deserve habitat for bats, and ensure lasting nothing less than our full efforts and Inspire Through survival of the world’s bats. This five year attention. Together, we can protect strategic plan provides a clear path these extraordinary mammals. toward these goals. Experience

9 105 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

There are four missions in this portfolio, set to unfold over the next THE five years. Each mission includes between two and four operations with specific objectives. We CONSERVATION focused on high-priority conservation targets, tangible impacts, and achievable goals.

PORTFOLIO 12 126 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

We as a species need to protect wildlife and realize that we share this planet with creatures.

WINIFRED FRICK, PH.D., CHIEF SCIENTIST

147 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Nearly 200 bat species OPERATION 01/04 in over 60 countries Protect two critically around the world are endangered considered threatened bats in Jamaica (Critically Endangered, OPERATION 02/04 Endangered, or Protect the last known maternity Vulnerable) by the roost for the Fijian International Union free-tailed bat for the Conservation of OPERATION 03/04 Nature (IUCN). Together, Recover remaining Hill’s horseshoe we can stabilize these bat populations populations and prevent in Central Africa extinctions. We’ve OPERATION 04/04 outlined four operations Conserve America’s rarest that will have significant bat and its globally imperiled

FLORIDA BONNETED BAT EUMOPS FLORIDANUS impacts for several highly ecosystem endangered bat species. MISSION ONE IMPLEMENT ENDANGERED SPECIES INTERVENTIONS 16 168 1 2 PORTFOLIO CONSERVATION THE

Protect the last known Protect two critically maternity roost of the endangered bats in Jamaica Fijian free-tailed bat

OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES PROJECT DETAILS MISSION ONE MISSION → Transfer cave and property of Stony Hill → Purchase and transfer Lack of adequate Our priority is to collaborate Cave to Jamaica’s National Environment Nakanacagi Cave to protection for bats, cave with partners, including the and Planning Agency (NEPA) the National Trust of Fiji disturbance (tourism, hunting, National Trust of Fiji and the → Create cave management plans for Stony → Develop and implement persecution), and habitat Rainforest Trust, to secure Hill and St. Clair Cave Cave management degradation and destruction it as a protected area — plan for Nakanacagi (e.g., logging, mining, mitigating the major threat → Train NEPA on acoustic surveying to identify Cave, including 3D agricultural intensification, of disturbance to this bat. patterns of habitat use mapping, microclimate and urbanization) have led → Establish annual habitat and assessments, monitoring, and visitor to steep declines in Fiji’s bats. We will finalize the on-going population monitoring management We will protect the last known purchase and acquisition maternity roost for the Fijian of Nakanacagi Cave on the → Develop and implement free-tailed bat (Chaerephon island of Vanua Levu and 16.6268° S, 179.0179° E species action plans bregullae) and implement identify and protect additional PROJECT DETAILS with Fijian government long-term conservation plans roosts of the Fijian free-tailed via the Fijian Bat on the Fijian islands. bat, if found. Developing a 18.1096° W N, 77.2975° Habitat degradation and essential to the success Conservation Initiative cave management plan for roost disturbance have of this project. To support Nakanacagi Cave on the Fiji, including conservation reduced roost habitat that effort, we will provide island of Vanua Levu, Fiji, guidelines for a variety of NAKANACAGI CAVE JAMAICA availability to a single technical expertise and is the only known roosting site cave types and all cave- remaining cave for the training to identify critical for the endangered Fijian free- roosting bat species, will critically endangered habitats for threatened tailed bat. Protecting this site help mobilize a conservation Jamaican flower bat bats and habitat protection, is crucial for the survival network of local communities, (Phyllonycteris aphylla) and develop restoration of this species, which is government agencies, and and the Jamaican greater plans enforceable under thought to be only 5,000 NGOs for bat conservation. funnel-eared bat (Natalus current legislation. individuals and decreasing. jamaicensis).

Working with the Jamaican government, we will establish enforceable conservation action plans for bats of concern and protect the last known roosts across the island. Capacity building is

KEVIN PIERSON, CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER

17 9 3 4 PORTFOLIO CONSERVATION THE

Recover remaining Hill’s Conserve America’s horseshoe bat populations rarest bat and its globally in Central Africa imperiled ecosystem

OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES PROJECT DETAILS MISSION ONE MISSION → Determine whether Hill’s horseshoe bat is still found → Establish long-term The Florida bonneted bat in Nyungwe National Park roosting options for bats (Eumops floridanus) is the in Miami-Dade County → Create a conservation management plan and provide rarest bat in the United States. without risk of exclusion implementation assistance to Nyungwe Park Rangers This species has suffered or disturbance and the Rwanda Development Board habitat loss due to rapid land → Establish joint development and climate communication strategies change, which increases with residents to reduce the intensity and frequency

2.4812° S, 29.2151° E PROJECT DETAILS roost disturbance and of storms, reducing natural EUMOPS FLORIDANUS increase support for roost availability. As a The critically endangered Park. Our team will carry conservation activities consequence, the species’ Hill’s horseshoe bat out extensive surveys of population has been in (Rhinolophus hilli) Nyungwe National Park → Create a robust network decline for decades. has not been seen since and produce the first of Florida bonneted bat 1981. The scientific and georeferenced database citizen scientists to collect Natural roosts are known conservation community for caves. Morphological acoustic data with limited in only six locations across lacks basic knowledge and genetic methods will supervision and only South Florida. In order to about the species, such as help us verify the presence periodic training from design and implement NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK NATIONAL NYUNGWE where it roosts, population of Hill’s horseshoe bat paid staff management strategies FLORIDA BONNETED BAT status, foraging habitat and in the park. → Improve understanding for the species, and in behavior, and whether it can of natural history, habitat collaboration with Zoo persist in degraded forests. use, and behavior, Miami and NextEra (the providing information parent company of Florida We will determine the status to design and implement Power & Light), we will lead of the critically endangered conservation actions key research to understand Hill’s horseshoe bat in Rwanda to protect the species species distribution, foraging and develop a conservation habits, and diet in the urban management plan to protect environment. We’ll also bats in Nyungwe National build, monitor, and maintain specially designed artificial roosts for Florida bonneted bats in Miami to increase roost availability.

To increase the roost search effort within greater Miami, we will increase awareness around species conservation to include the community in our efforts and locate new roosts.

19 10 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Working with partners across the globe we are able to identify and lead critically important conservation projects with clear, achievable actions that prevent the extinction of the world’s most threatened bats.

JON FLANDERS, PH.D., DIRECTOR, ENDANGERED SPECIES INTERVENTIONS

2211 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Developing partnerships OPERATION 01/04 and collaborations Restore agave forage and to integrate regional, protect roosts of pollinating bats national, and in southwestern international efforts US and Mexico is crucial to our OPERATION 02/04 conservation mission. Protect America’s most economically Our habitat protection valuable bat at and restoration work Bracken Cave Preserve focuses on restoring OPERATION habitat in critical 03/04 areas, protecting Protect and assess subterranean colonies of bats, features for bat 29.6877° N, 98.3302° W 98.3302° N, 29.6877° and abating threats roosting habitat OPERATION at known roost sites. 04/04 Implement bat

BRACKEN CAVE BRACKEN conservation on 258 million acres managed by the MISSION TWO US Government PROTECT AND RESTORE LANDSCAPES 2412

THE CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO MISSION TWO

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29.6877° N, 98.3302° W 98.3302° N, 29.6877° CAVE BRACKEN

. This protected wild ) TNC ( space is 20 miles north of San Antonio and less than ten miles from Interstate 35, amid one of the most rapidly urbanizing corridors highway in the United States. have We buffer meaningful a secured the bats and the between nearby growing human developed population, and a preserve that will serve as a home to the plants and animals that are native to the Hill Texas Country. and the PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT In 1992, purchased we Cave Bracken surrounding 4.7 acres of land to protect the largest single species colony of bats in North America. Nearly 25 years later, through a series of additional land purchases, that small initial acreage has grown more by than 300% into our 1,458-acre Bracken Cave Preserve. Together, co-manage we 3,462 contiguous acres of rugged Hill Texas Country with The Nature Conservancy 2 E tailed bat population at Bracken Cave is protected and healthy nsure Mexican free- Protect America’s most America’s Protect bat valuable economically Preserve Cave at Bracken OBJECTIVES →

Our research agenda will will agenda research Our expand to identify culturally suitable environmentally and sites for agave restoration operations and provide direction to target specific areas to create resilient for corridors nectar movements. migratory addressTo the bi-national landscape scale of the operation, will we develop partnerships. These diverse will help us expand the capacity to grow and plant locally adapted and sourced agave plants in the form of seed and nursery material in areas of highest impact conservation. bat for )

Leptonycteris Leptonycteris ) decreased 50% by 50 km buffer area P R R in the borderlands, focusing on increasing densities densities increasing on focusing borderlands, the in of flowering agaves in parks and protected areas ( range of pollinating bats pollinating of range rotect critical roosting sites across the migratory roosts surrounding habitat foraging estore migratory along habitat corridors foraging estore → → → PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT The status of pollinators in US-Mexicothe borderlands has emerged as a critical conservation issue because of their importance to biodiversity agriculture, ecosystem and conservation, function. Three species of nectar-feeding bats serve for pollinators primary as keystone desert plants in Mexico and the southwestern Roost States. United habitat and disturbance loss led to the rapid decline of these bats. Populations of the Mexican long-nose ( bat nivalis theover last ten years. We will protect known roosts while continuing to grow a range- wide restoration effort to enhance foraging habitat in proximity to critical roost sites. OBJECTIVES

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25.757 N, -100.173 W -100.173 N, 25.757 MEXICO protect roosts of pollinatingprotect bats US Mexico and southwestern in Restore agave forage and forage agave Restore 25

THE CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO MISSION TWO

14 PALLID BAT ANTROZOUS PALLIDUS ANTROZOUS BAT PALLID

forest management. Our Our management. forest team will coordinatewith agencies land public federal implement protection and sites. priority at strategies

PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT We work inWe partnership land public federal with agencies such as the BLM management inform to decisions that actions and lessen impacts to bats from climate development, energy and recreation, change, 4

 I Create Create comprehensive spatial datasets on bat bat on datasets spatial habitat distribution, quality, and priority areas for protection enhancement and lands public on management practices bat addressing on conservation 100% of priority sites mplement best Implement batconservation OBJECTIVES → → on 258 million acres managed acres million 258 on the US government by , ) BLM Bureau of of Bureau US conducting biological conducting Land Management ( Management Land of each month in the field working with agencies including the US Department of Defense, US Forest Service, and state mining and minerals offices surveys and mapping areas. underground Since 2008 have we surveyed 5,000over mine features and 400 natural caves as part of our efforts to identify and protect abandoned mines as bat habitat. will We survey and protect an additional habitats underground 2,500 in the nextyears five — of which25% expect we to become home to bats conservation concern. of  I 2,500 sites at recommendations habitat mplement OBJECTIVES → DETAILS PROJECT The estimated 500,000 throughout mines abandoned the United States present many potent dangers to human health and the environment. State and agencies government federal have increased the pace of of closure and reclamation these potential hazards. Many of these abandoned mines important become have habitat for bats as they seek encroachment from refuge development. human by team subterranean Our works closely with federal, state, and private land managers to identify and mine abandoned evaluate lands as potential bat roosting sites. On average, team members spend two weeks

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WYANDOTTE CAVE WYANDOTTE 38.2284° N, 86.2974° W 86.2974° N, 38.2284° features for bat roosting habitat bat roosting for features Protect and assess and subterranean Protect 27 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

We have a cadre of highly trained and very dedicated conservationists that are willing to push, and push very hard, to accomplish our mission.

JASON CORBETT, M.S. DIRECTOR, HABITAT PROTECTION AND RESTORATION

3015 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Developing solutions OPERATION 01/04 to emerging and serious Develop and implement threats to bats requires strategies to help innovative research and bats survive WNS global-capacity building. OPERATION 02/04 We conduct high-priority Significantly reduce the annual research to accelerate bat fatalities from wind energy finding solutions to facilities protect bats from the OPERATION impacts of White-nose 03/04 Grow global Syndrome (WNS) and capacity for fatalities from wind bat conservation through student MISSION THREE energy facilities. We research focus on improving the scholarships 18.1096° W N, 77.2975° OPERATION state of knowledge on 04/04 Leverage acoustic

JAMAICA bat populations to inform data to improve conservation actions bat conservation across North CONDUCT and invest in tools and America partnerships that aid HIGH -PRIORITY broad-scale efforts to inform conservation decisions. We build RESEARCH global capacity by investing in the next and now generations of AND DEVELOP bat conservation leaders by supporting outstanding student scholars in bat SCALABLE conservation and research around SOLUTIONS the world. 3216

THE CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO MISSION THREE

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40.8435° N, 76.2018° W 76.2018° N, 40.8435° FARM WIND RIDGE LOCUST

We willWe continue our efforts high-impact conduct to research to develop solutions to prevent mortality of bats at wind energy facilities. focusWe our research on scalable solutions and work to develop both technological solutions as well as address the major gaps in knowledge about bat behavior to identify effective solutions.workWe with partners and experts agencies, government from academic industry, private institutions, non- and organizations governmental to accelerate solutions to challenge. global this

Bat PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT and the United States. Current fatality rates from wind turbines are high enough to cause rapid declines in populations increase and risk of extinction for some migratory species. one of the leading causes of observed mortality of bats globally. Over 500,000 bats are estimated to be killed Canada across annually Hundreds of thousands of bats are killed each year wind by turbines globe. the around with collisions from fatalities now are turbines energy wind 2  D  I Accelerate research to Improve pre-construction address gaps in relevant relevant in gaps address behavior and ecology bat and industry methods to reduce the fatality of bats better to monitoring assess bat activity levels and use at proposed sites turbine wind fatality searches to better estimates determine of fatality, compare among estimates fatality determine and facilities, patterns of fatality in weather relation to variables habitat and technologies evelop post-constructionmprove from facilities wind energy annual bat fatalitiesannual Significantly reduce OBJECTIVES → → → → )

treatment bats and slowing the spread of the pathogen at scale. willWe target research on solutions that can be applied at scale either through species ( intervention or habitat protection and restoration. Research will be communicated through scientific management and channels to inform decision-making.

) WNS

to promote survival of bats A  L conservation actions for bats for actions conservation ccelerate research to test methods and actions ead research and monitoring to inform prioritizing OBJECTIVES → → DETAILS PROJECT The devastating White- devastating The Syndrome ( nose causes high mortality during threatens hibernation and several bat specieswith extinction. regional or global The disease is confirmed speciesin 12 and is now North across widespread America. will We test innovative conservation strategies and research solutions at aimed improving survival of

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UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN OF PENINSULA UPPER 46.5375° N, 87.3952° W 87.3952° N, 46.5375°

Develop and implement and Develop strategies to help bats survive bats help survive to strategies White-nose Syndrome 33

THE CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO MISSION THREE

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31.3459° N, 110.2538° W 110.2538° N, 31.3459° MEMORIAL NATIONAL CORONADO

processing, and the use of analytic tools to provide robust data to the program. include activities Current acoustic improving processing workflows that sustainable scaling enable models for data contributions; on data field collecting colony acoustic monitoring, counts, and surveillance for WNS to increase geographic coverage and scope; and creating data science tools that enable partner support via the NABat data portal. , ) Lack of WNS PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT Bats in North America face three major threats: White- Syndrome ( nose energy mortality wind from facilities, and habitat loss degradation. and population on information status and trendsimpedes and protection regulatory conservation targeting hinders actions for species and populations that need it most. Having population data is the first step in taking conservation action. serveWe as a partner and contributor to the NABat collection data through and analysis and cultivating Our support. stakeholder leadership provides team and collaborates on research data collection,involving 4 ) NABat  I  Ch Increase Increase quality Increase status and and quantity of data contributed to North Monitoring Bat American ( Program population status and trend reporting for North species bat American reportstrend published on North American bat species available to makers decision of bat species based on population status ncrease accuracy of status regulatory ange to improve bat conservation improve to across North America Leverage acoustic data Leverage OBJECTIVES → → → →

These students will address address will students These priorities such as conservation assessment of data deficient or threatened bats, and testing a conservation address to intervention specific threats. number of scientific of number (

) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and threatened batsand I  I  I publications deficient data on ncrease scientific knowledge efforts research ncrease interventions conservation for evidence ncrease Lack of knowledge on conservation status or ways to address known threats impedes effective will We conservation action. knowledge scientific build and researcher capacity in regions underrepresented scholarships for through researchers. student OBJECTIVES → → → DETAILS PROJECT 3

VARSHA RAI, TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSIT Y, NEPAL

27.7267° N, 85.3219° E 85.3219° N, 27.7267° NEPAL bat conservation through scholarships research student Grow globalGrow capacity for 35 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Bats are a critical component of our ecosystem, deeply rooted in culture and tradition, and one of the most fascinating taxa in existence.

KEVIN PIERSON, CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER

3819 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Many of our members OPERATION 01/02 and supporters became Enhance Bracken Cave Preserve connected to bats, bat OPERATION conservation, and our 02/02 organization because Launch a nationwide bat of personal experiences walks program in nature, and in particular, personal experiences observing and appreciating bats. We commit to making a powerful impact through every aspect of our nature experiences — including the wildlife,

HAMMER-HEADED FRUIT BAT HYPSIGNATHUS MONSTROSUS HYPSIGNATHUS BAT FRUIT HAMMER-HEADED settings, and people you encounter with us.

MISSION FOUR INSPIRE THROUGH EXPERIENCE 4020 THE CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO MISSION FOUR 21 Our first official and Miami. Miami. and partner in this effort is the Houston Zoo, who will assist in developing this program Theyin are way. a novel a leader in effective community developing and engagement conservation messages that resonate, which will be a piloting in instrumental program. nationwide

provide the opportunity to jointly develop materials using knowledge, practices, best and technology. will program pilot Our begin in where Texas, we’re which and headquartered, is home to 32 species of bats — more than any other state in America. Bats can be found across the entire state, metropolitan including in areas and at many popular tourist destinations. In Florida, our bat walks pilot will be targeted to support our Florida conservation bat bonneted work, through a combination of community outreach and surveillance. and 2020, In 2019 in occur will trainings initial Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, bat walks programs in Europe and Central New York's Park, our program will offer highly effective,experiential ways participants the to relay to the batsimportance and of many threats to their survival along stops intermittent during a walking route. Through participation, people physical will retain the information they learn through shared experience and then have an opportunity others. teach to In the pilot phase, will we partner with zoos and nature center partners to access a trained network of volunteers and an existing community of nature lovers predisposed to seek out wildlife experiences. These expert partners will 2

D  Develop tools with trained volunteers who who volunteers trained bat interactive provide will encounters providing by nature walks where participants listen can to ultrasonic calls of bats zoos and nature center partners using best practices, knowledge, technologyand of network a evelop bat walks program bat walks Launch a nationwide OBJECTIVES → → DETAILS PROJECT In the past years, few bat detectors, which plug in to a smart phone and are app-enabled, become have cost competitive with a pair of binoculars. commit We to sparking a nationwide movement toward a new kind of nature experience, at sunset instead of sunrise, takingby advantage of detector bat emerging launching and technology a nationwide bat walks program. began we the pilotIn 2019, phase of a bat walksprogram. Through this initiative, will we develop a network of trained provide will who volunteers in-person and bat interactive encounters. Based on existing

roadways. Additionally, Additionally, roadways. green architecture will be wherever incorporated possible. All of these measures will be in harmony with the within resources natural preserve. the are committedWe to catalyzing experience the of Bracken bat flights to teach the public about the economic and ecological value of bats — sustainably increasing access for visitors protecting and a magnificent colony of free-tailed bats. Mexican enhancements, planned With believewe can we realize our vision of making Bracken Cave Preserve a worldwide inspires that destination people to value bats and support conservation. bat . ) Tadarida brasiliensisTadarida E S visitor capacity, and durability and capacity, visitor and evening bat-flight viewing opportunities, and and opportunities, bat-flightviewing evening and underserved schools, with initiatives additional communities, corporations and nhance Bracken Cave Preserve to improve accessibility, morning improved through programming trengthen OBJECTIVES → → DETAILS PROJECT Bracken Cave Preserve is the largest bat colony in the world — home 15 to over free-tailed Mexican million bats ( Their nightly emergence is a jaw-dropping, life-changing experience — one that can become a bucket-list item for nature lovers worldwide that inspires people to support bat conservation. working In 2014, with The Nature Conservancy, the Parks Texas and Wildlife Department, the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and we donors, regional many acquired 1,500 acres of land development. by threatened Last welcomed we year, over 5,000 visitors and volunteers, but need we to improve the to infrastructure preserve’s continue showcasing this destination. wildlife incredible This operation will woodland incorporate preservation, and restoration ADA-accessible trail improved and development,

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BRACKEN CAVE BRACKEN 29.6877° N, 98.3302° W 98.3302° N, 29.6877° Enhance Bracken Cave Preserve Cave Bracken Enhance 41 Strategic Plan 2020–2025

Through these focused conservation efforts, we will protect endangered species and habitats, develop scalable solutions for the future, and build awareness and support for bat conservation by fostering inspiring experiences with these incredible animals. The future needs all of us, ARMED WITH and we will not back down. THE TANGIBLE GOALS OF THIS STAND UP STRATEGIC AND PLAN, WE JOIN US WILL FORGE T ODAY. AHEAD IN OUR MISSION TO END BAT EXTINCTIONS WORLDWIDE. 4422 Austin Washington D.C. Follow Us 500 N Capital of TX 1012 14th Street NW, Suite 905 Hwy., Bldg. 1 Austin Washington, D.C.Washington D.C. Follow Us Austin, TX 500 N Capital of20005, TX USA 1012 14th Street NW, Suite 905 78746, USA Hwy., Bldg. 1 Washington, D.C. 512.327.9721 Austin, TX 20005, USA 800.538.BATS 78746, USA 512.327.9721 800.538.BATS

Photo Credits: page 1: Jonathan Alonzo; page 2: Jonathan Alonzo; page 3: Winifred Frick; page 4: Winifred Frick; page 5: MerlinTuttle.org; page 7: Dan Taylor; page 8: MerlinTuttle.org; page 9: (from left) Winifred Frick (2), Bat Conservation International; page 10: (from left) Winifred Frick, J. Scott Altenbach; page 11: Yushi & Keiko Osawa; page 12: Jonathan Alonzo; page 13 (from left): Dan Taylor, Melqui Gamba-Rios; page 14 (from left): Jim Kennedy, Jason Corbett, MerlinTuttle. org; page 15: Marianne Moore and Boston University; page 16: Nate Fuller; page 17 (from left): Winifred Frick, Alyssa Stulburg, Michael Baker; page 18 (from left): Varsha Rai, Dan Taylor; page 19: Kevin Schafer/Minden Pictures; page 20: MerlinTuttle.org; page 21 (from left): Jonathan Alonzo, Melqui Gamba-Rios; page 22: Amanda Stronza