The Missouri Department of Conservation is inviting the public to take part in a virtual program tonight, Oct. 28, focused on one of the state’s most fascinating — and misunderstood — creatures: bats.
The online event runs from 6 to 7 p.m. and will be led by MDC Naturalist Jessie Ballard. Participants will learn about Missouri’s multiple bat species, their behaviors, and their important role in the environment. Ballard will also share facts about how bats hunt and communicate, as well as their benefits to both agriculture and pest control.
The program is designed to coincide with the Halloween season, when bats often take center stage in decorations and folklore. Ballard said the session aims to help people see bats in a new light — not as spooky creatures, but as valuable allies to humans and nature alike.
Fun fact: a single bat can eat up to 3,000 flying insects in just one night, including mosquitoes and crop pests.
The event will be held virtually, allowing participants from across Missouri to join. Those interested can register through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website under the “Events” tab or click here.
