Texas Bat Working Group - TXBWG

An awesome opportunity to get some bat work experience in an awesome location! Applications end soon!

Don’t forget to apply for our Seasonal Full-Time position! Applications close May 6th on https://tpwd.texas.gov/jobs/

This is the first time ever that Old Tunnel will have a second Ranger position and we are so excited! Texas Parks and Wildlife Texas State Parks

As a reminder State Parks is a fun and friendly, family environment and rude comments will not be allowed. If you have questions please feel free to comment in a polite manner and we will answer what we can.

DO YOU LIVE IN SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BATS?

Come attend the 'Living with Bats Community Workshop' at Walker County Storm Shelter, Huntsville, on Saturday June 27, 2026.

This family-friendly workshop is open to everyone, including Walker County residents, animal control officers, professional sanitarians, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, law enforcement, facilities professionals, wildlife rehabilitators, and city/county officials.

There will be informative presentations with lots of opportunities to ask questions, trivia with batty prizes, activities for kids, sponsor booths, and professional development opportunities. Speakers include individuals from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Bat Conservational International, Austin Bat Refuge and more!

Up to 6 hours of animal control officer continuing education can be earned by attending the workshop. Peace officers may submit the course for TCOLE hours under "Animal Control Officer Training."
Veterinarian and LVT CE hours will be offered pending TBVME approval.

Living with Bats Workshop This workshop will address topics related to the exciting bats that call Texas home!

Please note that if you need advice about bat removal, you should reach out to a local company to assist you.

If you have questions about bat boxes, the following resources are very helpful.

www.batcon.org/about-bats/bat-house-guidelines

www.merlintuttle.org

ww.batmanagement.com

On May 9th, Dr. Bryon Clark and Dr. Margaret Avard will be presenting "Initial Results of Bat Monitoring on Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and around Grayson County, Texas" at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Sherman.

On May 14th, they will be running a Bat Monitoring Workshop at the refuge.

Both events are free and open to the public! You can find more information at the link below and be sure to register for the Bat Monitoring Workshop before spaces fill up!

Friends of Hagerman NWR - Home April 22-24, 2026 Turkey Hunt: ALL HIKING TRAILS and Day Use areas will be closed, including the West side of the refuge. Wildlife Drive and the Visitor Center will be open.

Next week, Dr Sarah Fritts will be presenting on her acoustic bat research throughout Texas as part of TPWD's Wildlife Diversity Webinar series! You can register at the link below.

https://tpwdevents.webex.com/webappng/sites/tpwdevents/webinar/webinarSeries/register/fea2a88081134b42a8ed32c44b84655a

THE INVISIBLE MAMMAL (USA, 2024): A Texas Premiere That Reveals the Darkness Above At San Antonio's Animalis fabula Film Festival

The Invisible Mammal is a meticulously crafted documentary that focuses on the hidden lives of bats and the profound threats they face. The film takes us deep into a world of nocturnal intelligence, showing us these creatures not as Halloween accessories, but as complex, critical components of the global ecosystem. Director Kristin Tièche, who will be in attendance for the screening, treats her subject matter with both scientific rigor and deep respect, illustrating the staggering ecological services provided by bats, from insect control to pollination.

The feature will screen as part of the Creature Feature / Animals Out At Night block on Friday, November 28th, at 9:00 PM, at the Woodlawn Theater.

AniFab 25 is proud to partner with leading nonprofit organizations that specialize in the issues raised by the film, providing attendees with immediate, actionable opportunities to help. The screening is partnered with BEARS Etc., highlighting the interconnectedness of wildlife rescue, and is actively supported by global conservation leaders like Bat Conservation International and the crucial local stewardship of Texas Parks & Wildlife.

AniFab Teaser for The Invisible Mammal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jm9mHZOLWY

Thanks for "hanging" in there everyone! We've been hard at work behind the scenes to move forward with the Texas Bat Working Group.

Please sign up to our email list for TXBWG updates and news.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-UebScqHq5BGHdjI_Yr96Mrh4fvLKkmPXXteGqy8pk9zYYw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=104529187847709766367

The Texas Bat Working Group will return this year bigger and better than ever! Watch this space for upcoming news, events and how to sign up for our email list.

Texas Parks and Wildlife is hiring a bat biologist! It's funded for 2 years with the possibility of extension if funding is available. This position will work under the supervision of Jonah Evans, the State Mammalogist, to manage bat and white-nose syndrome research.

Please share with anyone that might be interested.

We'll be accepting applications through October 4th.

Full position description can be found here: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00007103&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago

Jonah Evans
Mammalogist
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
140 City Park Rd.
Boerne, Texas 78006
Office 830-331-8739