Supporting new bat groups across southern Africa
Thank you to THE REED FOUNDATION and BCI for funding to support our bat group training programme.
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Bat group training is underway again in 2025
Following the success of our 2023 ‘How to set up a bat group’ training course (our 'class of 2023' consisted of 25 #ChangeMakers from across seven southern African countries!) we are thrilled to announce that we will be running another ‘How to set up a bat group' training programme kickstarted in February 2025 and runs for just over four months.
We believe that one of the biggest impacts Bats without Borders can have is to support capacity strengthening of in-country bat conservation and inclusive engagement across southern Africa. |
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With just a handful of local bat groups present across the large region, there are currently few opportunities for interested individuals to get involved with and learn about bats. Local bat groups and enthusiastic bat volunteers are key to engaging new audiences and getting others interested in bats and how to get directly involved with bat conservation. They provide much needed positive PR for bats, creating understanding of the importance of bats, how they benefit us and why bats need friends.
Who is this course for
This training programme is designed for anyone based in southern Africa (and where possible other regions across Africa) who is interested in starting a bat group or organising bat walks and talks in their community. Bat group trainees do not need to be working as an ecologist or in conservation, but they need to have a keen interest in bats, conservation and engaging people.
Why we run this programme
The training will equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to establish and run a local bat group. Spanning four months, the programme includes a series of online training sessions (via Zoom), with training sessions and additional resources provided through an online training platform (Moodle) to help to embed learning. Topics covered will include how to lead a bat walk, bat first aid, the use of bat detectors, and guidance on setting up and managing your own bat group.
Bat group graduates commitment and ongoing support
The training we provide is free and following completion of the course, each trainee commits to run five awareness raising activities within six months to develop their skills and ideally build the foundations of a new (or support an existing) bat group. Bats without Borders continues to support bat group participants from 2023 with quarterly training sessions and ongoing mentoring and support. The 2025 participants will join this ongoing programme after their course finishes in June 2025.
Who is this course for
This training programme is designed for anyone based in southern Africa (and where possible other regions across Africa) who is interested in starting a bat group or organising bat walks and talks in their community. Bat group trainees do not need to be working as an ecologist or in conservation, but they need to have a keen interest in bats, conservation and engaging people.
Why we run this programme
The training will equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to establish and run a local bat group. Spanning four months, the programme includes a series of online training sessions (via Zoom), with training sessions and additional resources provided through an online training platform (Moodle) to help to embed learning. Topics covered will include how to lead a bat walk, bat first aid, the use of bat detectors, and guidance on setting up and managing your own bat group.
Bat group graduates commitment and ongoing support
The training we provide is free and following completion of the course, each trainee commits to run five awareness raising activities within six months to develop their skills and ideally build the foundations of a new (or support an existing) bat group. Bats without Borders continues to support bat group participants from 2023 with quarterly training sessions and ongoing mentoring and support. The 2025 participants will join this ongoing programme after their course finishes in June 2025.
'How to set up a bat group' training 2023
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Our 'class of 2023' consisted of 25 #ChangeMakers from across seven southern African countries!! Following completion of the course, each trainee committed to run five awareness raising activities within 12 months to build the foundations of a new bat group. Ongoing support to attendees is provided and it is hoped that this training course will be the first of many, to build a network of bat groups across southern Africa.
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Latest training:
As part of the on-going support and training of our 2023 bat group graduates, they recently attended this informative talk on 'Bats and Diseases' presented by Dr Marinda Mortlock and Dr Marike Geldenhuys-Venter, University of Pretoria. Beyond the Fear: Education the Public on Bats, Diseases, and Coexistence. |
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Bats without Borders Affiliated Bat GroupsThe following affiliated bat groups have been set up by trainees of the 'How to set up a bat group' training programme:
Cape Bat Group - South Africa Lusaka Bat Group - Zambia Bats in Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe Sapitwa Bat Conservation Group - Malawi ...more details coming, watch this space! |
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Bat groups in southern Africa
Bat Interest Group of KwaZulu Natal (known as BatsKZN) - Durban, South Africa
Gauteng and Northern Regions Bat Interest Group (known as GNoR BIG) - Gauteng, South Africa
Bats in Zambia Facebook page - Lusaka, Zambia
Gauteng and Northern Regions Bat Interest Group (known as GNoR BIG) - Gauteng, South Africa
Bats in Zambia Facebook page - Lusaka, Zambia