A project providing tips and guidance to gardeners and those involved in community gardening or TidyTowns initiatives to help improve habitats for bats, has launched.
Supported and funded by The Heritage Council, the announcement of the launch of the website GardeningForBats.com, by Bat Conservation Ireland, sees the first phase of the project, hosting short videos and other relevant information
Niamh Roche, Bat Conservation Ireland’s lead on the project, explained the reason for the project.
“This project began because people often ask us what they can do to help bats? Gardens cover a huge area of land in Ireland and bats depend on them when foraging for their insect prey, particularly in urban areas.
“The good news is that it is easy to help bats. Really simple measures such as turning off outside lights when they are not needed, composting garden waste, avoiding pesticides, including native plants and choosing garden varieties that attract nocturnal pollinators to your garden, will all help. By helping bats, you will also be doing yourself a big favour since bats are some of nature’s best insect pest controllers.”
SIMPLE MEASURES
The videos available on the website are beautifully filmed pieces, that explain some techniques and features that can be incorporated into outdoor spaces to benefit bats and other wildlife.
Ms Roche pointed out the important role of gardeners in Ireland.
“While people can often feel paralysed in the face of biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, we are saying that if you are involved in the management of any outdoor space, then there are really easy measures you can implement that will be of benefit. With this project, we are encouraging anyone who has an outdoor space – be it a large garden or tiny balcony – to take up the baton, get their hands dirty, and play an active role in bat conservation!”
Planning is currently underway for the second phase of Gardening for Bats and Bat Conservation Ireland want to collaborate with Irish nurseries and garden centres to introduce a ‘bat friendly’ logo for suitable plants.
VITAL FOR PEST CONTROL
There are nine species of bat found in Ireland and all bats are protected under wildlife law, but they are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pollution and insecticides. The consequences of losing our bats could be enormous. In the U.S., the economic value of bats, in terms of pest control, is estimated to be worth $22.9 billion per annum. Here in Ireland, it is vital we encourage bats through nature friendly gardening techniques etc.
Visit Bat Conservation Ireland’s (Caomhantas Ialtog na hEireann) websites www.batconservationireland.org and www.learnaboutbats.com for more information.
