Bats

Did you know that there are bats in California? Or even in the Bay Area? Not only do we have a large bat population in this region, but bats are an essential part of California’s ecosystems and they may be at risk.

The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, a plague-like disease decimating species of hibernating bats in North America, has been found in California.

With all the stigma surrounding them, it’s important to understand all sides to the story. Bats play a major role in the balance of an ecosystem, in California and around the world.

Bats are much more than a spooky and superhero symbol: They’re a seldom-studied species that are important to the overall health of an ecosystem. In Marin County, researchers have recently started studying populations and colonies of the these nocturnal, winged animal.

The partners of One Tam—the community initiative of the Tamalpais Lands Collaborative—launched a three-phased, three-year scientific research project to study the mountain's bats.