In this section you can find a range of more detailed case studies from a number of our project churches, including major mitigation, heritage protection and community engagement resources.
These are designed to be useful for anyone who is looking for some initial ideas on how to help reduce the impact of bats on their church, including some initial costs and the contact details for each project.
We also have a range of published papers and journal articles about the project and its work and the final report on all the work of the Bats In Churches Project will be published here in December 2023.
Between 2019 and 2022 we carried out a comprehensive surveys of English churches to get an accurate and up to date pictures of how bats use churches, which species use churches and where, when and how they cause problems. Our results will be published soon on our National Bats In Churches Survey page.
Introduction - Why, How and What Next?
The journey to the Bats In Churches Project and how it brought bat and heritage experts and organisations together to build solutions for church communities
Speaker -Lisa Worledge, Bat Conservation Trust
Spotlight - Capital Works
New ceilings, new bat roosts, new church! Discover some of the major capital projects that have made a tangible difference in churches with bats
Speakers -Honor Gay, Bats In Churches (Lamorran); Diana Spencer, Bats In Churches (Saxlingham),
Spotlight - Measuring Success
Mitigation works can take years of adaptation and development, see how churches manage bats long term and what success looks like both for bats and people
Speakers -Phil Parker, Phil Parker Associates (Gayton Thorpe); Chris Damant, Bernwood Ecology (Radstone)
The Case for Collaboration - Engagement and Community Buy-in
Working with church communities is vital for the success of our project. Find out how bats can become a living asset for a church, drawing in a whole new section of the local community
Citizen Science - Bat Detectives & the National Bats In Churches Study
Our citizen science project surveyed over 700 churches to learn more about how, where and when bats use churches. Find out what we learned and how this has helped shaped the recommendations of the project
Speaker -Claire Boothby, Bats In Churches
Panel Q&A
Senior stakeholders from Natural England, Bat Conservation Trust, Historic England and Church of England will discuss your questions on funding, licensing, mitigation and where we go next. Questions submitted in advance with your registration or at lunch on the day
The Secret Life of Churches
Church wardens are the often unsung heroes of parish churches. Hear how three of our churches have lived with their bats during the project and their personal hopes and needs for the future
Setting Sail – How A ‘Soft’ Approach Shows Promise
From canopies to cleaning, how low cost options can protect church heritage and create real, immediate benefit for churches and their communities
Speakers -Nigel Walters, ArchAngel Architects (Brampton); Allison Barnett, Mortimer Environmental (Wellington); Antia Dona Vasquez, Bats In Churches
Flying To The Future- Legacy and Recommendations
The project delivers its recommendations, looking at community, collaboration, and a strong case for small annual grants to allow for ongoing upkeep at churches
Speakers -Kate Jones, Bats In Churches
Closing Remarks The Ven Vernon Ross Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness on how you can help support the future of bats in churches
Speakers -Ven Vernon Ross Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness
