The Tennessee Bat Working Group (TNBWG) was formed in the summer of 2004 in recognition of the need for cooperation among various groups and individuals to help coordinate the conservation of bat species in Tennessee.
The scope of the TNBWG is the study and exchange of information relative to the conservation, biology, ecology, and management of bats and their habitats on all state, federal, and private lands within the state of Tennessee. The goal of the TNBWG is to conserve bats and their habitats in the southeastern United States through collaborative research, education, and management with a focus on bat research, conservation, education, and management within the state of Tennessee.
Send pictures of your TN bat outreach or research events to TennBWG@gmail.com to be featured!
Have you seen a bat in Tennessee? Help us learn about bat-human interactions in our state!
Not on our email list to receive announcements? Email tennbwg@gmail.com to be added!
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 19, 2025: Tri-State Outdoors Festival
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/tristateoutdoorsfest/
Aug 18-19, 2025: TNBWG Bat Blitz!
Save the Date: 5th annual TNBWG bat blitz will be held on August 18th – 20th at the Cherokee National Forest Ocoee Ranger District. Our base for the bat blitz will be the Sugarloaf Lodge at Adventure Ocoee ( 35.08067, -84.68891 ). The lodge has a large meeting space and bunk style rooms (See photos here: https://adventureocoee.com/lodging-photo-gallery/). Also, our meals will be catered by Adventure Ocoee. We will send out registration information and more details soon. There are many opportunities for field trips at this location. Stay tuned!
The 2024 Annual meeting was held November 22 in Murfreesboro, TN. We had ~100 participants in person and virtually.
The 2024 Bat Blitz was held at sites near Chickasaw State Park, TN. Volunteers captured 268 bats of 7 species! It was a great success!
The 2023 meeting was held on November 16th at the Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, TN
Thanks to all who attended. Thanks also to each of the speakers who provided engaging and informational presentations on bats in and around TN. We hope to see everyone next year!
The TNBWG hosted a public education event on August 21, 2023, at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
Thank you to all of our wonderful participants, volunteers, bat handlers, sponsors, and friends at Cedars of Lebanon State Park for making this year's bat blitz such a success! We observed 6 different bat species with 104 total bats captured, identified, and measured!