The conference is open to everyone and will include a series of inspiring talks from professionals and local bat ‘champions’.
Attendees will gain the knowledge and confidence to make their village or town a bat-friendly place in which to live and work. An optional evening bat walk to detect bats around Chudleigh is also planned.
Ruth Testa, who manages the bat project, said: ‘This conference is a brilliant way to find out more about the fascinating world of bats. You do not need to know anything about bats to book onto the day.
‘You will learn about activities such as bat friendly gardening, bat surveys and bringing bat-friendly thinking into neighbourhood plans. You’ll also get some ideas for creating fantastic spaces for wildlife in your community.’
The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project is a five-year partnership project of 18 organisations led by Devon Wildlife Trust. It’s supported by funders including the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The project aims to secure the future of the greater horseshoe bat in Devon, the northern European stronghold of this highly threatened mammal.
The project is working with landowners and communities to raise awareness and to improve habitats, as well as running scientific research programmes to increase understanding of bat species.
Booking details and a programme for the conference day are on the project’s website at www.devonbatproject.org/bats-communities-conference