For a donation of $10 you receive the "Bat House Builder's Handbook" and more.

The Adopt-A-Bat Program gives visitors to the monument an opportunity to participate directly in bat conservation. The proceeds received from this program are used to develop educational materials that are sent out to local schools to educate school children about bats, and for the bat research program.

Bats are unique animals. They are the only mammal that can fly. They have their very own taxonomic order, Chiroptera (kï-'räp-ter-a), which means “hand-wing”. There are over 950 species of bats worldwide, second only to rodents in number, and at least 15 species live at the Lava Beds. Bats are also some of the most threatened animals on earth because of the rapid destruction of critical habitat and their slow rate of reproduction. Female bats mature slowly and, depending on the species, usually have only one baby (pup) per year.

Bat behavior and ecology is a fascinating field of study. The diversity of bat species and their wide range of habitats make them critical parts of the ecosystems in which they live. We play a vital, active role as participants in, and stewards of, the natural world that we all depend on for our survival.

You can help us help the bats! For a donation of $10, new adoptive bat parents receive the "Bat House Builder's Handbook," as well as several other items to help you learn about bats and bat conservation.