For almost as long, we have monitored the bats that inhabit a network of bat boxes on our property. Every summer, Volunteer Manager Carol Raymond coordinates volunteers who carefully count bats as they emerge at dusk to feed. These quiet evenings of observation have captured a dramatic conservation story.
Our counts documented the precipitous decline of Little Brown Bats—from more than 400 individuals to just 25—as White Nose Syndrome spread across North America. In recent years, however, we have recorded a hopeful rebound. In 2025, volunteers tallied a high of 716 bats, providing rare good news in the world of bat conservation and demonstrating the value of long-term monitoring.