International Bat Week at the Peachland Art Gallery is the perfect time to learn about Peachland's nocturnal neighbours. This event, hosted by the Bat Education and Ecological Protection Society (BEEPS), runs from October 24-31. Discover the world of bats and learn how vital they are to our environment and economy.
Learn and Explore
BEEPS has been researching bat-friendly lighting and plants. At the Peachland Art Gallery in the Historic Schoolhouse, you’ll find an exhibit on bat-friendly gardens, lighting, and green roofs. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how you can make your home and garden more welcoming for bats. The exhibit is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
On Halloween, there are special treats for visitors. It's a fun way to wrap up the week and celebrate these important creatures.
Why Bats Matter
Bats play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our natural world. They consume large quantities of insects, pollinate flowers, and help spread seeds that grow new plants and trees. Despite their importance, bats often get a bad rap. Bat Week aims to change that by highlighting how bats contribute to food security, the environment, and the economy.
In Peachland, BEEPS has partnered with local wineries like Saxon Estate Winery, Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery, and Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards at Greata Ranch. These partnerships have led to the use of bat boxes and bat guano to help fertilize grape vines.
Special Highlights
The bat-friendly gardens and lighting exhibit is a must-see. It shows how small changes can make a big difference for bats. For example, installing a bat box in your yard can help control insect populations naturally. Planting bat-friendly flowers and trees can provide essential habitats and food sources.
During Bat Week, you can also purchase Bat Friendly Apples from Sun-Oka Fruit Farms. These apples are grown with the help of approximately 900 bats that live in bat boxes on the farm. This approach has helped reduce the need for coddling moth spray, making the apples more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Plan Your Visit
Make sure to visit the Peachland Historic Schoolhouse between October 24-31 to take part in International Bat Week. The exhibits are open from 10 am to 4 pm daily, with special Halloween treats on October 31st. This is an event you won’t want to miss, as bats are more than just spooky creatures of the night—they are vital to our ecosystems and agriculture. Come learn how you can help protect and support these amazing animals.
