19.15 Refreshments
19.30 Presentation starts
North Somerset Bat Survey is citizen science project led by the Bat Conservation Research Lab at the University of Bath, working in partnership with North Somerset Council. Bats, due to the wide range of habitats they occupy and their sensitivity to environmental disturbance, serve as excellent ‘bioindicators’. This means that the health of their populations provides us with a good picture of how wildlife is faring overall. However, development threatens bat populations globally through habitat loss and fragmentation. This is especially true in the South West. Over the next 15 years, North Somerset Council are required to build over 20,000 new homes, many of which will be built within areas used by rare bat species. The North Somerset Bat Survey aims to gather spatial distribution data on bats across North Somerset to enable council planners to minimise the impact of development on bats and wildlife at large whilst engaging the public with bat conservation.
Come along and hear Danielle Walker, Project Officer – North Somerset Bat Survey who will be sharing what they have found, how they are changing people’s perceptions of bats and what the future plans are.
Tea/coffee will be available at 19:15.
Non-members are welcome for a small £3.00 donation which will be offset against membership should you wish to join on the night.