Flying-foxes are more important than you think

Published on 20 April 2023

Did you know that Australia’s flying-foxes (native bats) are incredible pollen and seed spreaders who can travel 100km in one night?

And that without these bats spreading pollen and seeds we would face a future with no native forests and no habitat for all the animals that live in them, including koalas?

These are some of the Bat Facts rolling out in coming months as part of Council’s new ‘No Bat No Me’ project, made possible thanks to funding from WIRES National Grants Program. Find out more and fill in the survey at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/batfacts

As part of the program, Byron Shire Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Claudia Caliari, is visiting classrooms and streets across the Shire to set the record straight.   “I’ll be out talking to schools, markets and community groups with the aim of building our collective awareness of the essential role of Australian flying-foxes in protecting our precious eco-systems and biodiversity,” Council’s Biodiversity Project Officer Claudia Caliari said.   “I also invite everyone to participate in this project by answering some questions on Council’s website to help us understand our community perceptions and what you know about flying-foxes,” she said.   “So, while they can have a particular smell and sometimes be noisy, the reality is that we need to protect, not persecute, our hard-working flying-foxes because it is their role to safeguard our forests and protect all our native animals.   “The ‘No Bat No Me’ project also takes this a step further and considers what a future without bats and therefore native forests and animals would be like for humans – and it’s not a pretty picture,” she said.   “Habitat clearing is the number one threat for many species and, as we face the challenges of climate change, this also includes us.   “Understanding the facts about bats, their role, why they live so close to our urban centres and how we need to do more to live in harmony with them is part of the information I am taking out to Byron Shire schools, markets and the streets,” she said.

Schools and community groups are encouraged to get in contact to organise a presentation by Council education officers: [email protected].  Some spaces are still left for July.   Local plant nurseries are invited to get involved with the project too and should get in contact with Claudia. Nurseries can play a huge role in wildlife protection, helping people learn what plants to grow to feed our native animals.

For more information see Council's website.