Organizational Charter

Bats are important components of most ecosystems across the western United States and Canada. Many bat species are experiencing population declines and habitat loss, yet have received little or no attention in land management decisions. In response to this need, the Western Bat Working Group (WBWG) was established. This group consists of a leadership committee and a coalition of state and provincial working groups, each including representatives from public agencies and the private sector. The leadership committee is made up of a chairman, a six-member executive committee, a secretary/treasurer, state/province coordinator(s) from each participating state/province, and a Bat Conservation International (BCI) representative.

The following states and provinces are represented in the WBWG: Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Northwest Territories, Oregon, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and the Yukon. The state/provincial bat working groups will provide the executive committee with information of regional relevance to bat conservation and ecology. This committee will in turn disseminate information to state/provincial working groups. Through interactions between the steering committee and state/province working groups, the WBWG will provide an arena for identifying and addressing regional issues.

The vision of the WBWG is that all interested and responsible individuals, agencies, interest groups, and businesses will work cooperatively to ensure that bats are conserved throughout their existing range, and within suitable historic range. Bats will be preserved for the sake of biological diversity, ecological integrity and for the benefit of present and future humanity.

The goals of the WBWG are: 1) to facilitate communication among interested parties and reduce risks of species decline or extinction; 2) to provide a mechanism by which current information regarding bat ecology, distribution, and research techniques can be readily accessed; and 3) to develop a forum in which conservation strategies can be discussed, technical assistance provided, and education programs encouraged.

The objectives of the WBWG are:

1) Increase efficiency of bat management and conservation by facilitating better communication among responsible and interested parties.

2) Encourage continuity and standardization in survey techniques, data collection and storage, monitoring, and State permit requirements.

3) Encourage management and research efficiency by recommending effective techniques and minimizing duplicate efforts.

4) Encourage land management practices that benefit bat populations, support practices that minimize unavoidable impacts, and recommend mitigation as needed.

5) Facilitate inventory, monitoring, and assessment of bat species and their habitats.

6) Facilitate formulation, implementation, and evaluation of conservation strategies for individual species or groups of species.

7) Encourage and/or assist in providing training concerning bat inventory, monitoring, and research techniques which emphasize bat welfare and human safety.

8) Encourage community based education programs that support bat conservation.

9) Provide support, comments, and/or technical assistance as requested to facilitate goal implementation.