Welcome to the Tennessee Bat Working Group
The Tennessee Bat Working Group (TNBWG) was formed in the summer of 2004 in
recognition of the need for cooperation among various groups and
individuals to help coordinate the conservation of bat species in Tennessee.
The scope of the TNBWG is the study and exchange of information relative to the conservation, biology, ecology, and management of bats and their habitats on all state, federal, and private lands within the state of Tennessee. The goal of the TNBWG is to conserve bats and their habitats in the southeastern United States through collaborative research, education, and management with a focus on bat research, conservation, education, and management within the state of Tennessee. Find more TNBWG information and details about upcoming meetings on the "About" page of this site.
Upcoming Events
2023 TNBWG Meeting
The 2023 TNBWG Meeting is being held on November 16th at the Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, TN.
More information and registration options to come.
If you have upcoming bat related events here in Tennessee that you would like to share with the TNBWG here on our website, please contact us!
Outreach
Bat Boxes Available!
The TNBWG created outreach boxes full of hands-on teaching aids about bats for teachers and other environmental educators. In these boxes, you will find books for all age groups, along with bat skeletons and preserved guano samples. Demonstrate how scientists catch bats with mini mist-nets. Show kids the diversity of food types eaten by bats with a bat lunch box. Do you know how big the largest bat is? Show kids the almost 6-foot wingspan with a felt bat. Learn more at our Resources for Teachers page!
Working group members present a bat program for Vanderbilt's School of Science and Math.
A bat presentation was given at the Williamson County Library by Sara Samoray and can be viewed Here on YouTube.
The working group held a bat blitz at Edwin Warner Park in Nashville on May 16th. Unfortunately, low temperatures cut the night short with only 1 capture of a Tri-colored bat and several acoustic recordings of Red bats. Despite the low captures, It was a really good experience and we appreciate the cooperation of Nashville Metro Parks staff and all that attended.
Recent Events
The 2022 meeting was held on November 17th at the UT Extension Office in Knoxville, TN
Thanks to all that participated.We had a fantastic meeting with almost 50 attendees accounted for. Thanks also to each of the speakers who provided engaging and informational presentations on bats in and around TN.
We hope to see everyone next year.