Join us on an exciting journey into the mysterious world of bats and their habitat right here in the Hill Country! Krystie Miner of Bat Conservation International (BCI)’s Bracken Cave Preserve in San Antonio, TX, will unravel the myths and facts surrounding these fascinating creatures, shedding light on their often misunderstood reputation. She’ll dive into the critical importance of bats in the Hill Country, from their crucial role in controlling insect populations to their remarkable adaptations for survival. Whether you’re curious about their habitats, behaviors, or how they contribute to maintaining the delicate balance of our local environment, this talk promises to be both informative and eye-opening. Don’t miss the chance to learn more about these incredible nocturnal creatures and the rich habitat they call home!and. Join us at our Tuesday March 4th chapter meeting!
Krystie Miner began working with Bat Conservation International (BCI) in January 2023 as the Project Coordinator for Bracken Cave Preserve in San Antonio. She coordinates volunteers to lead tours of Bracken Cave and to help with numerous other research, conservation, education, and citizen science projects. She also aids in other BCI projects as needed, including White-Nose Syndrome surveys and swabbing agave plants for eDNA.
Krystie has a background in wildlife research and conservation and has been working with bats since 2014. She has a B.S. in Ecology from Boise State University and an M.S. in Conservation Biology from Texas State University. In addition to working with bats, she has previously worked with birds, insects, and fish, though bats remain her biggest passion. She resides in San Antonio, Texas, where she is within a half hour drive to Bracken Cave and spends her spare time exploring the hill country with her dog.
Bat Conservation International’s mission is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet. They are dedicated to prevent the extinction of bats, the world’s most vulnerable wildlife, and they focus on the rarest and most vulnerable bats and their habitats.
Bracken Cave Preserve is located north of San Antonio, Texas. Bracken Cave is the summer home of more than 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), making it the world’s largest bat colony and one of the largest concentrations of mammals on earth. The centerpiece of Bat Conservation International’s Bracken Cave Preserve is, of course, the cave and the millions of bats that live there. But BCI is also involved in the stewardship of the preserve’s 1,500 acres of hills, canyons, woodlands, and grasslands.
The meeting will start with a social time at 6:00pm, at Hunke Gathering Hall at Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road, Boerne. Announcements will begin at 6:45pm, followed by the presentation. For the social time, please bring any snacks/appetizers/desserts that you would like to share.
