Supporting new bat groups across southern Africa
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Thank you BCI for funding to support our 2023 bat group training programme. |
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We believe that one of the biggest impacts Bats without Borders can have is to support capacity strengthening of on the ground bat conservation and inclusive engagement across southern Africa. There are currently few opportunities for interested individuals to get involved with and learn about bats, with just a handful of local bat groups present across the large region. Local bat groups and enthusiastic bat volunteers are essential for sustainable 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.
Bats without Borders has launched a 'How to set up a bat group' training programme. With a grant from Bat Conservation International we are running training to provide interested and enthusiastic individuals across southern Africa with the knowledge, tools and support required to run bat walks and talks and/or set up local bat groups.
The course consists of eight online training sessions (one and a half hours per session) covering a variety of topics from how to lead a bat walk, bat first aid, bat detectors and how to set up your own group. Each session will be supported by online training resources and short assignments to embed learning.
Our 'class of 2023' consists of 32 #ChangeMakers from across seven southern African countries!! Following completion of the course, each trainee has committed to run five awareness raising activities within 12 months to build the foundations of a new bat group. Ongoing support to attendees will be 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.
Bats without Borders has launched a 'How to set up a bat group' training programme. With a grant from Bat Conservation International we are running training to provide interested and enthusiastic individuals across southern Africa with the knowledge, tools and support required to run bat walks and talks and/or set up local bat groups.
The course consists of eight online training sessions (one and a half hours per session) covering a variety of topics from how to lead a bat walk, bat first aid, bat detectors and how to set up your own group. Each session will be supported by online training resources and short assignments to embed learning.
Our 'class of 2023' consists of 32 #ChangeMakers from across seven southern African countries!! Following completion of the course, each trainee has committed to run five awareness raising activities within 12 months to build the foundations of a new bat group. Ongoing support to attendees will be 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.
Course outline
Session 1 - Introduction to bats and bat conservation
Session 2 - Introduction to bat vocalisation and bat detectors
Session 3 - Introduction to southern African bats
Session 4 - How to give a bat talk and walk
Session 5 - Getting started with community engagement activities
Session 6 - Wildlife-human interactions (common issues)
Session 7 - Introduction to bat first aid
Session 8 - How to set up a bat group
Session 1 - Introduction to bats and bat conservation
Session 2 - Introduction to bat vocalisation and bat detectors
Session 3 - Introduction to southern African bats
Session 4 - How to give a bat talk and walk
Session 5 - Getting started with community engagement activities
Session 6 - Wildlife-human interactions (common issues)
Session 7 - Introduction to bat first aid
Session 8 - How to set up a bat group
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