Northwest Flower & Garden Show

Kathleen Bander

A close encounter with a fuzzy flying bat piqued Kathleen Bander’s interest in these often misunderstood mammals.  She soon became hooked, and after a career in public relations and teaching set about researching bats, soon discovering that there was no organization in the Northwest that had as its goal the preservation of bats.  Together Kathleen and Margaret Gaspari, from the Port Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, founded Bats Northwest.  Currently in its ninth year, this non-profit, volunteer organization does public education and research on bats throughout the Northwest.  Now Kathleen is one of the region’s foremost authorities on bats, appearing on many TV and radio programs and countless newspaper interviews.  Website – www.batsnorthwest.org

Bats and Gardeners – Good Friends!

Wednesday, February 8 at 4:45 pm on the Monrovia Stage

Discover how beneficial bats are to gardeners in this fascinating workshop presented by one of the Northwest’s most enthusiastic bat experts.  From insect control, pollination and fertilization, bats can be a gardener’s best friend.  Learn about how having some bat houses helps you, your garden and the bats.

Going Batty for Bats! 

Saturday, February 11 at 10:45 am on the Sprouts Stage

Do you know what bats eat?  Or how many kinds there are?  Or what sizes they come in?  And why do they sleep upside down?  Find out the answers to these questions and more in this batty presentation that is filled with fun facts about bats, just right for kids and adults too.