A workshop on the best practices in bat protection, organized by the Coordination Center for Environmental Projects, was held on the 19th and 20th of September 2013 in Rytro (Beskid Sądecki). The location was not random – in the very region most of the actions of the largest European lesser horseshoe bat protection project, the PODKOWIEC+, take place.

Attendees came from The State Forests National Forest Holding, environmental NGOs, regional environmental protection authorities, scientific institutions and universities.

On the first day, a training session on the biology of bats, major threats and conservation measures for the animals was led by Rafał Szkudlarek, president of the Polish Society of Nature Friends „pro Natura” and Maciej Fuszara of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Also, the best bat conservation projects carried out in Poland during the last dozen or so years were presented.

Much attention gained the following demonstration of bat research gear – different types of ultrasound detectors, mist-nets and radio-telemetry equipment.

The second day was spent on showing the participants examples of bat work, carried out by the Polish Society of Nature Friends „pro Natura” – the overhauled church roof in Leluchów, where about 200 lesser horseshoe bats roost and a platform for the collection of bat droppings in the old orthodox church in Krynica Zdrój. Forest habitats used by the bats were demonstrated in the „Las Lipowy Obrożyska” nature reserve.

In an evaluation questionnaire, many of the participants acknowledged the high quality of the workshop and high level of competence of the trainers.

Source: http://www.bestpractice-life.pl/aktualnosci/najlepsze-praktyki-ochrony-nietoperzy.html