Respect Wildlife: Build A Bat House

Monroe, LA: Did you know that the last week of October is Bat Week? We were in the Daniel Boone National Forest where the Red River Gorge is located this year and they were celebrating by building bat houses. The sixth Leave No Trace principle is to Respect Wildlife. When we talk about respecting wildlife we encourage:

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Another way to respect wildlife is to learn more about them. Bats tend to be feared, mostly because they are misunderstood.  Bats are an important part of the earth's ecosystem.  If you are interested in learning more about bats or how to build your own bat house check out www.batcon.org.

BATS ARE IMPORTANT

BATS ARE THREATENED

BATS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD

BATS ARE COOL

BUILD YOUR OWN BAT HOUSE

Travel Well,

Amanda and Greg – Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Team East Central

Leave No Trace’s Amanda Neiman and Greg Smith are part of the 2016 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program that provides free, mobile education to communities across the country. Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, Fjall Raven, ENO, Deuter, Thule, Taxa Outdoors and SmartWool.