The northern myotis bat. © Jared Hobbs

Western Bats

WCS Canada's Western Bat Program is committed to protecting bats and bat habitats in Western North America.

The Western Canada Bat Conservation program is uniquely positioned to lead, carry out, and coordinate research and conservation efforts for Western Canada’s bats.

How we work

Conducting research to fill critical knowledge gaps
Applying the best available science
Working with governments to influence policy and leverage efforts and support
Working with other researchers and biologists
Developing strategic collaborations and partnerships
Monitoring bat populations and bat diversity to guide conservation efforts
Educating the public and training biologists
Sharing our science

Alberta and BC bat program map © WCS Canada

Where we work

The Western Canada Bat Conservation Program concentrates efforts in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan with limited work in the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Wildlife

Bats

Bats are the world’s only flying mammal.

Projects

Preventing white-nose syndrome in bats

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease affecting North American bat populations.

Bat boxes

Bats need homes, but they need the right homes.

How you can help bats

Take part in citizen science, and learn more about bats

Safer wind power for bats

An estimated 1 million bats are now being killed by wind turbines annually in North America – a number that will continue to rise as more wind turbines are constructed.

Bat-Friendly Forestry

Bats need forests AND forests need bats.

Resources

Journal article

Little brown and Yuma myotis maternity colonies are negatively impacted by extreme weather

Oct 2026

Journal article

Heat tolerance of female Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) in the hottest part of their Canadian range

Aug 2026

Journal article

Metagenomic and Genomic Analyses Reveal Prevalent Spread and Evolution of the Bat White-Nose Pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans in Western Canada

Feb 2026

Stories and op-eds

2025-09-25

Northern Myotis ecology: A fellowship in flight

First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellow Taylor Galvin reflects on her experience joining our Western Bats team in the field.

2025-05-05

Why Canada must step up to save our bats

Quietly underway on Canada’s west coast is a pioneering rescue mission for an oft-maligned group of mammals – bats.

2024-05-21

At-risk bats in race against speedway for existence

The Rosebud River valley is a sensitive riparian habitat for bats that will be affected by a proposed motorsport track.
Susan Holroyd, Cory Olson

Media coverage

New National Certification Initiative Helps Communities Conserve Bats at Risk of Extinction

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), with the BC Community Bat Program and Wildlife Conservation Society Canada’s Alberta Community Bat Program, have launched the national Bat-friendly Community Certification initiative to help communities conserve the endangered mammals.

2026-08-25 | The Hamilton Spectator

'Always left in the dark': Federal funding delays are holding back species conservation

Director of Bat Conservation Cori Lausen outlines the conservation challenges created by federal funding timelines in Canada, in which key resources arrive after the season when species need help.

2026-07-25 | The Pointer

Inside Alberta caves, biologists are fighting a fungus that is threatening bat colonies

Evidence of white-nose syndrome was found in three caves in the Rockies this year during surveys by the provincial government and Wildlife Conservation Society Canada.

2026-06-22 | CBC