Year of the Bat

Join us as we celebrate 2012 as the 'Year of the Bat' with bat-related events and activities throughout the summer!

We are collaborating with a number of other organizations as well who are supporting 'Year of the Bat' programming:

Every Thursday evening at dusk, June through August, docents will be stationed at two "Bat Bridges" in town: River/Campbell & Broadway/Pantano.

This is a great opportunity for the entire family to enjoy our beautiful sunsets and appreciate first-hand the fantastic event of bats emerging from their roost and navigating the night sky chasing their insect prey.

Docents will have bat detectors, hands-on materials and we be available to answer your questions.

When:: Every Thursday night: June, July, August
Time:: Sunset (we recommending arriving 40 minutes prior to dusk)
Where:: Docents will be at both "Bat Bridges" in town-River & Campbell/Broadway & Pantano
Location Details:: River & Campbell (St. Phillips Plaza) & Broadway & Pantano Wash (NE corner by the Lazy Boy)

June 16 and August 4 — SSE's "Bat Night" — The Sonoran Desert Region has 48 species of bats and the menu for the evening can include insects, arthropods, nectar, pollen, fruit, blood, and fish! Bats are the primary predator of night-flying insects and are also important pollinators of columnar cacti and succulents in this area. Bat Biologist Karen Krebbs will talk about these unique and fascinating mammals of the evening skies and present a live bat at the end of the lecture. Lecture times are 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the program is free with Summer Saturday Evening's admission. Bat acoustic equipment will be set up outside of the Coati Exhibit from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to listen to calls of free-flying bats as they navigate through the night.

July 21 (Sat) — "Going Bats" Adult Classes & Trips — The Sonoran Desert Region has 48 species of bats and the menu of the evening can include insects, arthropods, nectar, pollen, fruit, blood, and fish! Bats are the primary predator of night-flying insects and are also important pollinators of columnar cacti and succulents in this area. Bat Biologist Karen Krebbs will talk about these unique and fascinating mammals of the evening skies and discuss some of her exciting bat research. We will also spend time on the Desert Museum grounds tracking bats with a bat detector. Karen will present a live bat at the end of the lecture. Call 520-883-3086 for more information and register on-line via this link.

August 25 (Sat) — "International Year of the Bat Night" — The Desert Museum is collaborating with other groups and agencies to celebrate bats and their importance to our world. Various activities for bats will take place on the grounds throughout the evening. Meet Bat Biologist Karen Krebbs and see a live bat. The program is free with Summer Saturday Evening's admission.