Virginia Hosts Annual Bat Week Event
Residents can learn about the state's 17 native bat species and support local habitat restoration efforts through October 31.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Wildlife
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The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is hosting its annual Bat Week through October 31 to raise awareness for the state's 17 native bat species. This promotional campaign aims to highlight the ecological benefits of local bats and support habitat restoration efforts.
Why it matters
Bats play a critical role in Virginia ecosystems by controlling insect populations and pollinating plants. The campaign provides resources to help residents understand the status of native bats, including four species currently listed as endangered.
Virginia is home to 17 species of bats, with three federally endangered and one state-endangered species. The state officially designated the Virginia big-eared bat as its state bat in 2005.
The players
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
The state agency responsible for managing Virginia's wildlife populations, habitat conservation, and public education initiatives.
The details
Bat Week serves as an educational effort to showcase how bats support local environments. Residents can access online guides provided by the Department of Wildlife Resources to identify local species and purchase bat-themed merchandise via Facebook. Proceeds from these sales contribute directly to the Restore the Wild program, which funds habitat restoration initiatives across the state.
Timeline
Bat Week runs annually from October 24 to October 31.
The Virginia big-eared bat was named the official state bat in 2005.
The Home Front
This awareness campaign supports the long-term goals of the Restore the Wild habitat restoration program. Protecting local biodiversity remains a key focus for land management policies intended to stabilize regional insect and plant ecosystems.
You can support local conservation by purchasing themed merchandise through the state's official social media channels. Review the department's online guide to familiarize yourself with the specific bat species that may be active in your local area.
The takeaway
Supporting local bat populations helps maintain natural insect control around your property. You can review the state's official guide to identify native bats and participate in habitat restoration through the Restore the Wild program.
Further reading
Learn more about local conservation efforts in our guide to Wildlife.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 8News.
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