Bat Conservation Trust: Difference between revisions
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* Possessing or advertising/selling/exchanging a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat, |
* Possessing or advertising/selling/exchanging a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat, |
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* Intentionally or recklessly obstructing access to a bat roost. <ref> http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/bats_and_the_law.html </ref> |
* Intentionally or recklessly obstructing access to a bat roost. <ref> http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/bats_and_the_law.html </ref> |
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== Magazines == |
== Magazines == |
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Revision as of 11:00, 1 September 2014
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (May 2014) |
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| Company type | Conservation charity |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Anthony Michael Hutson  |
| Headquarters | Vauxhall, London, United Kingdom |
Key people | Chris Packham, president Julia Hanmer, joint chief executive, Kit Stoner, joint chief executive |
| Revenue | 1,228,508 pound sterling (2019) |
Number of employees | 34 (2019, 2020) |
| Website | www |
The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) is a registered British charity (England and Wales charity number 1012361, Scotland SC040116) dedicated to the conservation of bats and their habitats in the UK. BCT was founded in 1991 and is the only national organisation solely devoted to bats.[1] Its vision is a world where bats and people live in harmony. BCT currently has a membership of around 5,600, including individuals, families, teachers and youth workers and corporate businesses.
BCT’s work is based on four key objectives,[2] which are seen as critical to maintaining a sustainable, diverse bat population in the UK:
- To determine target population levels and associated habitats
- To secure and maintain the stated target bat population levels
- To act as the authoritative voice for bat conservation
- To win the required level of support to achieve the target number of bats.
National Bat Helpline
BCT runs the National Bat Helpline, providing information to anyone needing advice on issues relating to bats, and connecting people with local bat carers and volunteers if necessary. The helpline received over 13,000 enquiries in 2013. Users can telephone the helpline directly (on 0845 1300 228) or submit queries via a form on BCT's website.
Hours
- From October to April (non-peak season): Monday-Friday, 9 am-5:30 pm
- From May to September (peak season): in addition to non-peak season hours, the Out of Hours Helpline, run by volunteers, is available in the evenings and on weekends.[3]
National Bat Monitoring Programme
BCT runs a number of national, annual surveys through a volunteer network to monitor the status of bat species across a range of habitats. These surveys form the National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP) through which changes in bat populations can be tracked. A key use of NBMP data is to help inform which bat species are included on the priority list in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.[4] BCT runs NBMP surveys aimed at beginners as well as experts.
Bechstein's Bat Project
In February 2008, BCT launched the Bechstein's Bat Project, which aims to establish the distribution of Bechstein’s bats and other woodland bat species in England and Wales. The survey protocol is based on methods devised by experts Frank Greenaway and David Hill. In 2009 a detail study of 10 counties took place to determine the range of the Bechstein's bat and in 2010 a lactating female Bechstein's was discovered in Grafton Wood, an Ancient Wood originally part of the Forest of Feckenham and jointly owned by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation, suggesting that there was a breeding colony in the wood or close by. The People's Trust for Endangered Species are funding further research work at Grafton Wood.[5]
Bat Crime Investigations Project
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 all UK bat species and their roosts became protected by law. Due to their low reproduction rates and long life-spans, bat populations are particularly vulnerable to a range of threats including bat related crimes. BCT also runs a Bat Crime Investigations Project which aims to;
- Record bat related crimes,
- Provide training and advice for the police, SNCOs and bat workers to ensure incidents are reported and investigated, and that the law is enforced with appropriate prosecutions,
- Educate the groups and sectors that perpetrate bat related crime, and create awareness raising initiatives such as the production of best practice guidelines to improve work practices,
- Improve areas of UK policy to reduce opportunities for ignoring the legislative protection given to bats.
The Bat Crime Investigations Project also aims to uphold the protection for bats as detailed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), which criminalised the following;
- Deliberately capturing, injuring or killing a bat,
- Intentionally or recklessly disturbing a bat in its roost or deliberately disturbing a group of bats,
- Damaging or destroying a bat roosting place (even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time),
- Possessing or advertising/selling/exchanging a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat,
- Intentionally or recklessly obstructing access to a bat roost. [6]
Magazines
BCT produces two members only magazines; Bat News and The Young Bat Worker. BCT also produces a number of publications sent out to its members and the general public with bat information and advice regarding a number of topics including UK bat species, living with bats and gardening for bats. The BCT email bulletin is sent out every two months with current news stories relating to the organisation and general bat conservation. It has a readership of around 10,000.
Bat News
The first issue of Bat News was published in September 1984,[7] and the magazine is now published three times a year. Bat News features news, research updates and in-depth features regarding the organization and its work.
The Young Bat Worker
The Young Bat Worker is BCT's magazine for their Young Batworkers’ Club, specifically for members under 16 years old. It features bat-themed activities, games, stories, competitions and curriculum guidance for teachers and is also published three times a year.
Bat groups
BCT provides support for over 90 bat groups across the UK. The groups are made up of dedicated volunteers and vary in size, ranging from a few individuals to groups with hundreds of members. Bat groups organise and carry out frontline conservation. The activities each group undertakes will vary but include surveys and monitoring projects, leading bat walks and giving talks, research projects, bat care and rehabilitation. Individual groups run local fundraising events for their group and BCT. Visitors to BCT’s website can find their local bat group at http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/local_bat_groups.html.
Events, Training and Awards
BCT runs the annual National Bat Conference which takes place across one weekend in September. The conference programme includes talks, workshops and the presentation of both the Vincent Weir and Pete Guest Awards. BCT also runs a number of training courses throughout the year for both volunteers and professionals.
The Vincent Weir Award
The Vincent Weir scientific award was first presented at the National Bat Conference in 2010, in honour of the late Vincent Weir. The award is presented annually to a student at a UK-based institution who has made a significant contribution to research on the conservation biology of bats.
The Pete Guest award
The Pete Guest award was first presented in 2004, replacing the “Outstanding voluntary contribution to bat conservation” award set up in 2002. The award is for individuals who have made an outstanding practical contribution to bat conservation, and is also presented to the winner at the National Bat Conference.
Notes
- ^ About Us - Bat Conservation Trust
- ^ http://www.bats.org.uk/publications_download.php/450/BCT_annual_review_2008_web.pdf
- ^ http://www.bats.org.uk/help.html
- ^ http://www.ukbap.org.uk
- ^ Bats about Bechstein’s James Hitchcock, Worcestershire Life, August 2012 p99
- ^ http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/bats_and_the_law.html
- ^ Hutson, Tony (Spring 2013). Bat News (100): 8.
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