Bats are some of the most fascinating and misunderstood creatures in our local ecosystem, and thanks to Cal Poly Pomona’s CPP Bat Week, students have the incredible opportunity to study them up close, build conservation tools like bat boxes, and share their knowledge with the community. Each year, 20 passionate students immerse themselves in bat research and hands-on conservation efforts, culminating in an exciting campus bat night filled with interactive activities like bat walks, predator-prey games, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts. What started as a dream by two bat-loving professors—Dr. Rachel Blakey (Cal Poly Pomona) and Dr. Joy O’Keefe (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)—has taken flight, sparking curiosity and appreciation for urban biodiversity.
Now, we need your help to keep this program going! Your support will provide essential research tools like bat detectors, spotlights, and headlamps so students and community members can experience bat echolocation firsthand. We also aim to replace our vinyl cutter so we can continue producing our wildly popular student-designed bat stickers. Plus, we want to bring Dr. O’Keefe back to inspire the next generation of conservationists and ensure every student participating in Fall Bat Week is paid for their valuable work. Every gift brings us closer to making this an accessible and sustainable program for years to come. Join us in empowering students, protecting urban wildlife, and making Fall Bat Week bigger and better than ever!
