The United Nations has declared 2011-2012 as International Year of the Bat and Bat Conservation International (BCI) as an International Year of the Bat Founding Partner.

As such, BCI is organizing and promoting bat conservation and celebration around the globe.

If you have planned or would like to plan a Year of the Bat (YOTB) event, BCI is ready to help. Consider one of our three levels of cooperation and/or sponsorship, and contact us.

Partners & Friends
Bat Friends are organizations or individuals who are holding any event related to bat conservation. Contact us to have your event listed on BCI’s Year of the Bat webpage.

Partners help promote bat conservation by displaying the BCI and Year of the Bat logos and website links, and by distributing BCI and Year of the Bat materials at partner events. BCI will provide copies of our YOTB Poster and other bat conservation education materials, add your logo and web link to our YOTB webpage and have your event listed on the United Nations (UNEP) website. Example:

Cornerstone Partners host signification regional and national events, receive all the benefits of Partner level plus a BCI staff member as a speaker for their event, assistance in contacting other speakers and presenters, and collaboration in fund raising and marketing of the event.

Sponsors
For the promotion of bat conservation and education through BCI Year of the Bat events, Gold Bat Sponsors donate $5,000 or more, Silver Bat Sponsors donate $2,000 - $5,000, and Bronze Bat Sponsors donate $500 - $2,000. All sponsors will receive a BCI membership, a copy of the BCI limited edition Year of the Bat commemorative poster, and listing on the BCI Year of the Bat webpage (anonymous may be listed if so desired).

Current & Upcoming Events

2012 January 14, Houston, Texas, Bat Team Cheers Olympic Team, Bat Team Cheers Olympic Team. The Men’s and Women’s US Olympic Trials marathon that will be ‘running’ past Waugh bridge, home to a famous bat colony, at 8:00 am on Saturday. The event will be televised nationally on NBC. Approx. 300 elite athletes are expected to compete for just 6 spots on the U.S. Olympic marathon team. Houston is the first city to host both the Men’s and Women’s Marathon trials, happening both at same time. The race begins in downtown Houston, runs down Memorial Drive to Shepherd, then back down Allen Parkway, ending in downtown. The total race is 26.2 miles. Allen Parkway & Memorial Drive, plus Waugh will be closed to traffic. Waugh bridge will be used as place for people to watch the race, as well as all along Allen Parkway. Anyone interested in attending to cheer the runners and promote the bats should contact us

2012 January 21, Quogue, NY, Celebrate International Year of the Bat at Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Celebrate International Year of the Bat at Quogue Wildlife Refuge. The United Nations has declared 2012 International Year of the Bat - come to the Refuge & learn why! A Power Point program for adults will be held at 2:00 PM. A presentation for children about bats is scheduled for 11:00 AM. A Bat Craft will be available for children to make between 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM. A free event for all, reservations requested.

2012 January 24, Portland, Oregon, USA, The Biology, Behavior, & Benefits of Bats, presentation by Cris Hein, PhD, Conservation Scientist, Bat Conservation International. The Rialto Pool Room's basement bar, The Jack London (529 SW 4th Avenue Portland 97204 503-228-7605) will host the event.

. . . See more current/upcoming events . . .