Recognizing the important role that bats play in the ecosystem, the City of Penticton is proud to announce that it has achieved the necessary steps to become a certified Bat-Friendly Community. This certification highlights the City’s commitment to preserving and enhancing bat habitats, promoting awareness and fostering a healthy ecosystem.
"We are thrilled to announce that Penticton has been officially recognized as a certified bat-friendly community,” says Mayor Julius Bloomfield. “This certification underscores our commitment to preserving local wildlife and fostering a harmonious environment for all species."
To meet the requirements for the Bat-Friendly Community designation and to highlight bats as a keystone environmental species, the City has initiated several projects over the past two years. These efforts include installing bat boxes and guano catchers to provide roosting opportunities for bats, developing and promoting educational resources such as the Bat Edu-Kit and Batpack, and including bat information on the City’s wildlife webpage, penticton.ca/wildlife.
“We are delighted to recognize Penticton as a certified Bat-Friendly Community,” says Paula Rodriguez de la Vega, Okanagan Region Coordinator with BC Community Bat Programs. “This achievement highlights the city's dedication to bat conservation and the protection of vital habitats that support these important species."
As part of this certification, Council proclaimed April 17, 2025 as Bat Appreciation Day, and Oct. 24-31, 2025 as National Bat Week.
Members of the public are invited to attend a Bat Ambassador Training Workshop on June 14, 2025, with more details to be released closer to the date. This is an opportunity to learn about how to support bats, plus an opportunity to take part in a local bat count that evening.
For more information about Penticton's bat-friendly initiatives and how you can get involved, please visit penticton.ca/wildlife.