Bat Night

7/12/2014 | St. Francois State Park | Bonne Terre, MO

Silently swooping through the sky like miniature stealth bombers, bats have been patrolling the night for eons in search of their insect prey. They may be small, but they are mighty-each bat consuming thousands of mosquitoes and other insect pests every night.

Help celebrate the bat and all they do for us by attending this free event, which will feature a presentation by an expert that includes live bats, and your chance to see bat researchers in action!

Sybill Amelon, of the U.S. Forest Service, is a bat researcher and licensed rehabilitator. She will bring live Missouri bats for you to see up close. Her presentation includes life history of bats and information on the white nose fungus that has threatened bats over much of the United States. Afterward, bat researchers will set up mist nets to capture bats as part of a survey of species in the park. Watch as they collect data and examine the bats for signs of white nose before releasing them back into the park. Ask them questions and be a part of this important research project!

Event Schedule:
  • 6-7 p.m.: Live bat presentation by Sybill Amelon, Ph.D. (amphitheater)
  • 8-10 p.m.: Live mist netting demonstration (Shelter 1)

​St. Francois State Park is located at:

8920 U.S. Highway 67 N., Bonne Terre, MO | 573-358-2173

Associated activities

  • Interpretive Programs