bat signals

Two conservationists standing in front of an educational "Bats Make Great Neighbors" banner at the Huntsville Bat Colony site
Educational banners at the warehouse showcase the work to protect the Huntsville bat colony.
Photo: Amanda M. Adams, Ph.D.

Home Renovation for Bats

Partnership to protect a million-bat maternity colony in a Texas warehouse
In Huntsville, Texas, a warehouse built in 1937 and owned by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), is now home to approximately 1 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis). TDCJ’s concerns about the structure’s stability, as well as security and public health, led to initial plans to exclude bats and tear down the building. However, conservationists wanted to ensure the bats’ protection, so a collaborative effort was born to devise a long-term plan and to renovate and stabilize the structure for bats in the short term.

In 2022, TDCJ, BCI, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department secured financial support from Apex Clean Energy to collect data on the roosting area within the building, engage with the public about the project, and install a protective roof on the warehouse, which was installed in 2024. New signage at the warehouse was added in May 2025, and an annual workshop keeps the community informed about their resident bats and the project’s status. The new warehouse roof provides waterproofing and stability to the structure, ensuring a safe and stable environment for the bats as conservation partners continue to plan for future efforts to relocate the colony.

A Mexican free-tailed bat in mid-flight with its wings fully extended, showing detailed wing membrane texture and characteristic facial features
A Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) in flight.
Photo: Bruce D. Taubert
Learn more: batcon.org/huntsvillebats
A portrait of Dr. Jane Goodall wearing a tan turtleneck and a teal shawl
Jane Goodall
Photo: Wikipedia

Remembering Jane Goodall

A legacy of conservation
Legendary conservationist Jane Goodall, Ph.D., passed away in October 2025 at the age of 91. Goodall was a primatologist and anthropologist renowned for her work with many species, including chimpanzees. She first traveled to Tanzania to study chimpanzees in 1960, and over the decades she was instrumental in enhancing our understanding of the species as she noted their human-like traits, behaviors, and bonds. Her work showed us that humans and wildlife have more in common than many previously believed.

Over the course of her life, Goodall was a relentless advocate for wildlife conservation, and she founded the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots and Shoots Program. She worked to establish numerous wildlife sanctuaries and reforestation projects and authored more than 30 books and many articles. Goodall also received a wide variety of honors and awards during her lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in 2025. Her legacy will live on through the work of all those she inspired.

Learn more about Jane Goodall’s work and legacy: janegoodall.org
Roots and Shoots’ mission is to “empower young people to effect positive change in their communities.” Learn more: rootsandshoots.org
A group of cyclists and nature enthusiasts gather on a bridge at dusk for an educational outing
Bikeshare Bat Quest participants use bat echolocation detectors to find bats on the Mission Reach nature trail, which is located along an eight-mile stretch of the San Antonio River.
Photo: Jonathan Alonzo

Bikeshare Bat Quest

Biking and bat education come together in collaborative effort
A detailed macro portrait of a Mexican free-tailed bat's face, showing its wrinkled muzzle, large ears, and dark eyes
A Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) at Bracken Cave Preserve.
Photo: Josh Hydeman
BCI partnered with BCycle and Latino Outdoors to host a four-part collaborative class in San Antonio to merge the worlds of bikes and bats. The class taught 20 Latino Outdoors volunteers how to use the BCycle rideshare system while also learning about bats.

“Bikeshare Bat Quest” used a “class-and-ride” format at locations along the paved Mission Reach nature trail along the San Antonio River. The first class focused on the basics of utilizing the BCycle app to dock and undock the bikes, making adjustments to fit each rider’s body, and using features like pedal assist. Later rides focused on bats and their roles in local communities, and included visits to the Mission Branch Library Community Garden and Bracken Cave.

Participants are now Bikeshare Bat Quest Ambassadors who are trained to lead bike rides focusing on bat education.

A Mexican free-tailed bat captured in mid-flight against a black background, with its wings fully spread to reveal the intricate bone structure and dark, leathery membrane
The peninsular horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus robinsoni) is one of the world’s 1,500+ bat species to celebrate during the International Year of the Bats.
Photo: Charles M Francis

International Year of the Bats

Planning begins for the 2027 celebration
The Global Union of Bat Diversity Networks (GBatNet) has named 2027 as the International Year of the Bats. This year-long celebration aims to raise awareness of the importance of bats and promote global bat conservation. Planning efforts are underway, so be sure to check the website for updates. It’s also a great time to start planning your own bat events for the 2027 celebration.
Learn more: yearofthebats.org
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