Although often misrepresented, bats are the fascinating creatures responsible for mosquito-free summer nights and the pollination of plants from mangos to cocoa. Unfortunately, bat populations have been in steep decline over the past several years due to a fast-spreading and highly deadly virus that inhibits the bat’s ability to hibernate properly during the winter. White Nose Fungus has killed over one million bats worldwide, pushing hundreds of species dangerously close to the brink of extinction.
To help protect locally endangered bat species, the MLHS Environmental Club decided to take action by organizing bat house building workshops at RVS and Wildwood after school. Aside from producing bat houses that will provide safe habitats, the project also aimed to educate and spread awareness about threats facing lesser known endangered species.
After proposing the project idea to the Mountain Lakes Environmental Commission, the MLHS Environmental Club received a grant to buy the bat house kits. Members of the Environmental Club gathered after school in Mr. Sica’s AP Environmental room with hammers, nails, glue, and three boxes of bat house kits.
Equipped with five wooden bat houses and painting supplies, the environmental club visited the RVS green team after school to run the workshop. A group of enthusiastic students engaged with the high schoolers during a slideshow presentation on the causes and consequences of bat endangerment. Following the presentation, the students divided into smaller groups, grabbed brushes and began painting the houses in an enthusiastic frenzy.
“It was really inspiring to see the kids get excited about helping the bats. Even though they thought they were just having fun painting they were actually doing so much for the bats and their safety.”
Andie Credidio ’19
After being contacted by Ms. Azar at Wildwood, the environmental club conducted a second bat house painting workshop with new students the following month.
Thanks to the help of our hardworking Wildwood and RVS students, there are currently nine bat houses ready to be distributed and installed. If you are interested in receiving a bat house, please contact Kyla Hunter at khunter19@mlschools.org.
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Awesome!