Benbrook neighbors, if you’ve taken a stroll through the Fort Worth Botanic Garden lately, you may have shared the space with more than just butterflies and birds.
A five-year research project has found that five different species of bats are quietly calling the garden home.
Halfway through the study, the North American Bat Monitoring Program, with help from the Cross Timbers Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, has picked up bat activity using high-tech microphones that record ultrasonic signals bats use to navigate and hunt insects.
So far, they’ve identified the Mexican free-tailed bat, Evening bat, Tricolored bat, Eastern red bat, and the Hoary bat. Some, like the Tricolored bat, are under consideration for endangered status, making their presence here all the more significant.
These bats aren’t just flying through for fun. They pollinate plants and feast on mosquitoes, doing their part for the local ecosystem while we sleep. And while bats might not be winning popularity contests just yet, their role is crucial — and worth protecting.
Want to help? Dimming outdoor lights at night, skipping pesticides, planting night-blooming flowers, and even installing a bat house can make a difference.
Turns out, the garden isn’t just a peaceful spot for people. It’s a hidden haven for one of nature’s most misunderstood helpers.
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