Bat Conservation International

BCI
PO Box 162603
Austin TX 78716-2603
512-327-9721 fax 512-327-9724

Executive Director: Dr. Merlin D. Tuttle

Caver Contact Jim Kennedy

Purpose: BCI is a nonprofit corporation promoting bat conservation, education, and research. A large percentage of cavers are numbered in our overall membership. BCI has been the leader in many cave conservation projects where bats are affected, such as Hubbards Cave in Tennessee.  Bracken Bat Cave in Comal County Texas is owned and managed by BCI to protect the largest known concentration of bats in the world, up to 40 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) at the peak of the season. Many educational products and gift items are available through our catalog.

Activities sponsored: Bat Conservation and Management Workshops in Arizona, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania; Bats and Mines Workshops in varying localities; Bat House Building Workshops; Cave Gating Workshops; Bat watching at Bracken Bat Cave (members only); Bat education and research symposia at conferences throughout the year, including the NSS Convention and the National Cave Management Symposium; scholarship opportunities for graduate students; and more.

Publications BATS Magazine quarterly, to BCI members. The Bat House Researcher semiannual, to North American Bat House Research Project participants. America's Neighborhood Bats and other books, many professional a-v materials, including slide sets and videotapes.

Membership: Regular BCI membership is $30/year, and gets you BATS, catalog discounts, workshop and scholarship opportunities. Student rates available. NABHRP membership is $15/year, $10 for BCI members. Benefits include The Bat House Builder's Handbook, semiannual newsletter, participant directory, and more.