Match for Bats during the month of October
Silvered-hair bat
Oregon is home to 15 species of bats, a rarely seen and often misunderstood mammal that plays an invaluable role in keeping our environment healthy. These nocturnal insect‑eaters work behind the scenes to support thriving forests, productive gardens, and the habitats that fish and wildlife depend on.
Bats are a neglected and often overlooked species; one that gets little focus and attention in the world of conservation. Today, Oregon’s bat species face mounting threats from climate change, shrinking habitat, and devastating illnesses like white‑nose syndrome. As their numbers decline, the impact ripples across our ecosystems and ultimately affects everyone who enjoys Oregon’s outdoor spaces. Protecting bats means protecting the landscapes, wildlife, and recreational opportunities we value most.
This October, Oregon Wildlife Foundation is celebrating International Bat Month by partnering with NW Bat Hub - a collaborative research and monitoring program dedicated to understanding and conserving bat populations in Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest.
To maintain a healthy and sustainable bat population in Oregon, NW Bat Hub is championing two important projects you can support today. Each gives researchers and partners the tools and information they need to better understand these special mammals and steward their long‑term conservation.
Bat Acoustic & Capture Equipment will equip volunteers with additional Wildlife Acoustics SM4BAT detectors to expand acoustic monitoring across Oregon. Additionally, with partners like Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, NW Bat Hub will purchase specialized mist nets and pole sets to support ongoing bat capture and handling efforts. Additional acoustic detectors and capture equipment will strengthen researchers’ ability to track bat activity, assess their health, and respond to ongoing and new threats.
NW Bat Hub, building on the current network of Motus Towers, which includes one on the OSU-Cascades campus, will add two more in areas of Central Oregon currently lacking coverage, improving early-warning detection, migration tracking, and long-term monitoring of bat movement within the region.
Your gift today helps create a lifeline for Oregon’s fragile bat populations. You will be standing with scientists, researchers, and volunteers racing to understand how to save these species from extirpation in Oregon.
And right now, your generosity goes even further. Thanks to a dedicated supporter and bat enthusiast, gifts up to $12,500 will be matched, doubling their impact and sending immediate support to the people working to safeguard these neglected animals.
Make Your Match for Bats and become a champion for bat conservation in Oregon!
You can make a gift today by visiting myOWF.org/bathub, texting MATCH4BATS to 44-321, or using the donation form below.
