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Highlights
July 2026 - Bat Discovery Night
On 31 July, we joined the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District for an evening of bat research and community science! We captured and tagged bats to track their movements. Perhaps we saw you there!
April 2026 – Student Award
Congratulations to Zoe on winning the student award at the Midwest Bat Working Group conference!
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Our quarterly update featuring bat conservation news, fieldwork highlights, and upcoming events. Sign up by sending us an email. Previous newsletter here.
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Scientific Publications
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Media Coverage
[2026] UC expert helps rehome endangered Ohio bats
Dr. Johnson and the lab partnered with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District to build a dedicated bat house for the returning colony of little brown bats. They also lead a community science project using tiny tracking devices to study where the bats migrate during winter.
[2026] Researchers build 'bat condo' in central Ohio to help preserve a dwindling bat population
Dr. Johnson and Dana (Muskingum Conservancy Water District) spoke with Spectrum News 1 about the Bat Discovery Night and the Bat Condo that was installed at the Clendening Marina.
[2026] Breaking bats: Fighting against the negative stigma
Dr. Johnson spoke with Spectrum News 1 about the misconceptions about bats and how the Shaker Trace Seed Nursery in Hamilton County, Ohio, has created a unique space where bats and humans can co-exist.
[2025] Fascinating Ohio: an award-winning chef, a bat expert & a DIY craft creator
NPR spoke with Dr. Johnson about the Ohio Bat Fest and bat research in Ohio. Check out the audio at the link!
[2025] The bats came back—UC bat researchers help Great Parks renovate barn for bats and people
“We helped Great Parks ensure that the designs for the renovated building would have the greatest chance of allowing bats and people to coexist in the barn.”
[2025] Ohio Bat Fest to shed light on bats' vital role in local ecosystems this October
Dr. Johnson and Dr. Meierhofer went on Local 12 to talk about the Ohio Bat Fest!
[2025] This Cincinnati Festival Debunks Myths About Bats
The Ohio Magazine highlighted how we are using technology and outreach events like the Ohio Bat Fest to change public perceptions of bats and promote conservation during Bat Appreciation Month.
[2025] UC Experts Lead Ohio Bat Fest
The University of Cincinnati News featured an article about our role in hosting this year’s Ohio Bat Fest and how we’re using the event to engage the public in wildlife and information technology. “This festival is a chance to see how technology and conservation come together.”
Earlier News & Media Click to view earlier stories ▾
2024
Bats face an existential crisis, a new study offers hope
2023
UC assistant professor and PhD student team up to jump start bat initiative program
Meet Four Cincinnatians Who Are Spearheading Ecological Change
2022
As people celebrate Bat Week, a local ecologist researches ways to save bats
Ohio's bats are facing big challenges. Researchers talk about how they're trying to help