Volume 39
Issue 1
This past year, weve led the creation of the first-ever bat sanctuary in Fiji, a significant step in ensuring the survival of the critically endangered Fijian free-tailed bat. We also completed the largest agave restoration project in the history of the United States by planting more than 2,600 agaves in southeastern Arizona to provide food to nectar-feeding bats. In Jamaica, weve completed a conservation road map to secure the purchase of an important cavethe last-known roost of some of the most endangered mammals on earth. And thats just the tip of the iceberg.
Our lasting impact can even be seen from work done in the late 1980s, when President Reagan signed a bill authorizing the creation of the National Park of American Samoa, protecting the critical habitat of declining Pacific island flying foxes. This landmark legislation was made possible through intensive efforts by BCI, its members and friends, and Samoan conservationists. Our collective work is being recognized even 35+ years later by the U.S. government, as it releases the National Park of American Samoa 2020 quarter featuring the Samoan fruit bat.
As you can see, with your continued support, we can keep making a lasting impact on bat conservation worldwide. There is hope. Together, we have the power to end bat extinctions.
Mike Daulton
BCI Executive Director