Baturday News is a weekly blog written by Rachael, a high school student, bat advocate, and Save Lucy volunteer. Rachael’s interest in bats was sparked by the big brown bats that used the outside of her former home for a winter roost.

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a good week! I have had a very busy one. It’s the end of the grading period here in Fairfax and that means lots and lots of projects, papers and tests. I have a couple of projects left, but I’m almost done!

I found an article that may sound like bad news, but it really is good news. They cut down trees in a 45 acre piece of and off Route 28 in Harrison, PA. These trees are homes to Northern long-eared bats. Northern long-eared bats were listed as an endangered species in 2014 due to population declines. They are also being affected by White Nose Syndrome. 🙁

So, I know it sounds awful that they are cutting down the trees, but they are doing it now to help the bats later. The site is going to be turned into an office park, so the trees are going to be cut down anyway. They cut them down now, so that it won’t affect the bats as much. Since the bats are still hibernating in caves and mines, they aren’t in the trees. Once the bats wake from hibernation, they leave the caves in search of a place to raise their pups. Usually, they choose a nearby tree. If the trees were cut down after the bats set up maternity roosts, it would most likely kill the pups who will be unable to fly away.

Construction won’t start for another two years, but they thought it would be better to start clearing the trees now so it wouldn’t affect the bats as much. Clearing had to be completed by March 31 under federal regulations. Otherwise, the developer would have had to wait until November 15.

So, while I wish they could have left the trees there, they cut them down in an attempt to help our little furry friends. If you would like to read the article, you can find it here.

I hope everyone has a fantastic week! Happy April Fools Day! Try to be kind with your pranks. 🙂