We are proud to announce that the BC Community Bat Program’s Bat Friendly Community Certification has been used as a template by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) to expand the program across Canada. Communities across Canada are soon going to be invited to become bat-friendly as CWF launches a national Bat-friendly Community Certification in partnership with the BC Community Bat Program and Wildlife Conservation Society Canada’s Alberta Community Bat Program.
Building on existing programs in BC and Alberta, this certification focuses on protecting and enhancing bat habitat, promoting learning and providing accessible information about bats for community members.
In BC, there are currently 11 certified Bat Friendly Communities; Dawson Creek, Peachland, Richmond, Delta, Port Moody, Comox, City of Langley, Penticton, Tsay Key Dene Nation, Township of Langley, and Christina Lake. These communities will be grandfathered into the national CWF certification. More information will be announced in the near future.
Eight of Canada’s 18 bat species are currently listed as being at risk due to human activity, but communities can help change that. Encourage your local governing body to become bat-friendly and join a growing national network working to protect bats. For more information visit Bat-friendly Community Certification.