© Vilda
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), established in 1972, is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. To accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide range of partners, including United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society.
UNEP also hosts several environmental convention secretariats including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Migratory Species and the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats. www.unep.org
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, works for the conservation of a wide array of endangered migratory animals worldwide through the negotiation and implementation of agreements and species action plans. At present, 114 countries are parties to the convention. www.cms.int
The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS), a binding international treaty which came into force in 1994, presently numbers 32 European states among its Parties and counts 62 range states plus the European Union within its territory. The Agreement was concluded under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), which recognises that endangered migratory species can be properly protected only if activities are carried out over the entire migratory range of the species. EUROBATS aims to protect all 53 species of bats identified in Europe, through legislation, education, conservation measures and international co-operation with Agreement members and with countries which have not yet joined. www.eurobats.org
The IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group (BSG) is one of a number of specialist groups formed within the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN-The World Conservation Union (IUCN). We are a collaborative multidisciplinary network of bat biologists and conservationists providing support and promoting bat conservation activities throughout the world. www.batspecialistgroup.org
Bat Conservation International (BCI) is devoted to conserving the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet. It was founded in 1982 as scientists around the world became concerned about the alarming decline in bat populations. Bat Conservation International has achieved unprecedented progress by emphasizing sustainable uses of natural resources that benefit both bats and people. www.batcon.org
Lubee Bat Conservancy is an international non-profit organization working with others to save fruit bats and their habitats through research, conservation and education. Healthy rainforest and desert ecosystems depend on fruit and nectar bats that pollinate flowers and disperse seeds. Located in Gainesville, Florida, Lubee Bat Conservancy houses the largest and most diverse collection of tropical Old world fruit bats (Pteropodidae) in the world, and is recognized as a unique center dedicated to conservation of these threatened bats. www.batconservancy.org
The Bat Conservation Trust is solely devoted to the conservation of bats and the landscapes on which they rely. With the support of a network of 100 local bat groups and thousands of volunteers and supporters in the UK and internationally, our work spans monitoring, policy and advocacy, research and conservation action including running the National Bat Helpline on 0845 1300 228, providing advice for all who come into contact with bats or have questions about them. More information can be found on www.bats.org.uk
The French Society for the Study and Protection of Mammals is a network of volunteers working in partnership with other associations, government or scientific agencies with the aim to better understand and protect mammals and raise awareness among the general public of their diversity and their role in ecosystems.
BatLife Europe is an international non-governmental conservation organisation built from a partnership of national bat conservation organisations that are committed to promoting the conservation of all bat species and their habitats throughout Europe. BatLife Europe is currently being registered as a charity in the UK. The founding partners of BatLife Europe are the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), the Dutch Mammal Society (DMS) and Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), and we are working to expand the partnership to include many more European organisations. www.batlife-europe.info
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the umbrella organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community. Its members include selected zoos and aquariums, and regional and national Associations of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as some affiliate organisations, such as zoo veterinarians or zoo educators, from all around the world. www.waza.org
If your organization is interested to partner with Year of the Bat, please contact us at yearofthebat@eurobats.org
Supporters
The Year of the Bat warmly thanks our supporters for their participation in the campaign
TUI
TUI affiliated companies accept their responsibility and are committed to sustainable development and the protection of the environment and nature. TUI will support the “Year of the Bat” by raising awareness among TUI customers of the importance of biodiversity, and in particular migratory species, for the well being of all people and future prosperity.
Credits
The Year of the Bat gives special thanks to Bat Conservation International/Merlin Tuttle, Bat Conservation Trust and Vilda/Rollin Verlinde for kindly allowing us to use their photographs on this website.
