In 2019, Ohio government recognized National Bat Week. National Bat Week is every year from October 24th – October 31st. National Bat Week is an annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature and raise awareness about the need for bat conservation. Visit the National Bat Week’s website at www.batweek.org for more information on bats and how to take action not matter where you are.
Ohio Bat Week Video Series:
Ohio Bat Working Group members have created a series of videos for Bat Week and beyond! These videos were created to address a variety of topics related to bats in Ohio with the intent to aid educators in preparing and delivering bat programs. We hope you find them helpful! 
- Bat Biology
- Bat Habitat and Life Cycle
- Bat Species of Ohio
- Threats to Bats
- How Bats are Studied
- Bat Houses
- Bat Gardens
- Bats in Buildings
- If You Find a Bat
Special thanks to Sarah Stankavich, Danielle Thompson, Melissa Proffitt, Cindy Maravich, Tammy O’Neil, Marne Titchenell, Rick Shears, and the Education and Outreach Committee for the creation of these videos.
2021 Bat Week Events
Bat Week 2021 is fast approaching! Do you have events for bat week that you would like us to share here? If so, email Marne Titchenell (titchenell.4@osu.edu).
Columbus and Franklin Co. Metro Parks – Sharon Woods Metro Park
Going Batty Trivia Trail, Sharon Woods Metro Park 6911 Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43081 – Take a short walk along the lake trail and find out how much you know about bats! Afterward, walk through the Edward Thomas Nature Preserve on the trail, explore the Natural Play Area or find a leaf pile to jump in. The trivia trail will be up through November.
Brukner Nature Center
Self-guided Bat Hikes during the month of October
Our party will start in the meadow where we will introduce you to ideas on how to attracts bats to your area. From there, you will wind your way along the Hickory Ridge trail for ten more stops that will allow you the opportunity to discover the wonder and beauty of Ohio’s 11 species of bats. Don’t forget to stop by the interpretive building to visit with our guest of honor – the big brown bat!
Brukner Nature Center – 5995 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Troy, OH 45373
Erie MetroParks
Bat Week Begins, Sun. Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m. Celebrate the start of Bat Week and learn about the bats of Ohio. Be part of a bat survey with naturalists and help gather data for the Ohio Department of Naturalist Resources Division of Wildlife. We will count bats as they emerge from their roost. Walk-ups welcome. No registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring a chair. Edison Woods MetroPark, 8111 Smokey Rd., Berlin Heights.
https://eriemetroparks.org/program/bat-week-begins/
The Dark Night, Wed. Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m. Continue the fun of Bat Week with a bat walk around the trails of Eagle Point. We will use bat detectors and listening devices to locate and identify bats. Walk-ups welcome. No registration required. Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point, 3819 Cleveland Road West, Huron.
https://eriemetroparks.org/program/the-dark-night/
The Dark Night Rises, Sat. Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m. Our Bat Week events conclude with a bat walk around Castalia Quarry, home of caves and cliffsides where bats roost. We will use bat detectors and listening devices to locate and identify bats. Feel free to come dressed as a bat! Walk-ups welcome. No registration required. Castalia Quarry MetroPark, 8404 SR 101, Castalia.
https://eriemetroparks.org/program/the-dark-night-rises/
Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District
Bat Walk @ Armco Park, Tuesday, October 26, 6-7 pm – https://www.warrenswcd.com/bat-walk-at-armco-park.html
Cleveland Metroparks
Are bats blind? Join Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist, Marty Calabrese, for a Q&A on this week’s Ask A Naturalist inquiry.
