LARNED — Fort Larned National Historic Site invites the public to learn all about bats during a program from 11 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 30, in the fort’s visitor center, six miles west of Larned on K-156. This presentation lecture, delivered by a student conservation association intern, will help dispel inaccurate myths and information about bats which often drives the public to fear these amazing and beneficial creatures.

Visitors attending the program will be exposed to the wonderful world of bat biodiversity, their ecological significance, conservation issues facing bats, and what individuals can do to help promote a healthy bat population, which in turn greatly benefits the farming community and general public. The lecture will be followed with time for questions as well as information for further education and assistance with bat issues and bat house design. Coffee and cold drinks will be served.

More information about bats, bat houses and conservation issues facing bats can be found online at merlintuttle.org, www.batmanagement.com and www.batcon.org. For more information call Ellen Jones or Ethan Grennan at 620-285-6911.

As citizen scientists individuals can watch, help protect, and monitor local bat populations by creating habitat, installing bat houses, keeping counts of colonies as they emerge for the night and by continuing to learn and teach others what you practice.

All events and activities at Fort Larned (www.nps.gov/fols) are free to the public.