Events, Activities & Volunteering opportunities

MOST OF THE SURVEYS FOR THIS YEAR HAVE NOW BEEN COMPLETED, BUT THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTERNAL SURVEYS LATER IN SUMMER. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP, SOMEONE WILL BE IN TOUCH IF THEY'RE  BEING CARRIED OUT AT SITES YOU HAVE AN SHOWN INTEREST IN.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with some Local Wildlife Sites and church surveys for 2025.

All of the documents for this project can be found by logging in to the website and browsing to My Account>My Downloads>KBG Volunteers documents>LWS & Bats in Churches. https://www.kentbatgroup.org.uk/my-account/my-downloads/kbg-volunteers-documents/lws-church-project

We would recommend reading the documents before signing up here, as they contain information on the proposed churches and how the surveys will be conducted. Your membership needs to be up-to-date to take part.

If you have any questions please email Clair  

If you'd like to help bats from home, this could be for you. The Bat Conservation Trust are looking for volunteers to take calls from members of the public on the Volunteer Bat Care Helpline. 

When bats are found in need of assistance the BCT Helpline is the first port of call for advice. More volunteers are needed this winter with shifts starting in October.

Full training will be given on either 3rd September or 11th September from 10:30 to 14:30.               

The deadline for applications is 22nd August 17:30.

For full details click the link.

Led by the Wild is a CIC with the aims to engage children and adults in nature-led learning, to conserve the natural environment, to create sustainable habitats for nature and to involve the local community in events and wildlife projects. 

They have invited the bat group to lead a bat walk and we are asking for volunteers to come along and help. If you're interested and available, please email Mary, our volunteers coordinator, 

More information about Led by the Wild can be found here.

We've been invited to give a talk and then lead a walk for the locals at Dunkirk and through the Winterbourne Fields, part of the Big Blean Walk.

If you'd like to help with the walk, this usually involves chatting about bats and helping the attendees to use their detectors correctly to listen out for bats, please email Mary our volunteers coordinator

Faversham Town Council have arranged a bat walk and volunteer Liz Vinson of the Kent Bat Group will be leading.

Detectors will be availabe and everyone will have the opportunity to listen to the bats as they forage above.

If you'd like to come along, more details can be found and tickets purchased here. 

Charing Alderbed Meadow Community Group have invited KBG Chair Dr John Puckett to give a brief talk followed by a walk. The group are expecting around 30 attendees. 

The Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust have organised some bat walks for the local residents and invited the bat group to lead. It's a great location for bats with several species present, at least 4 were seen or heard at the beginning of the month when Mary led. 

SOLD OUT

The National Bat Conference is the biggest event in the bat calendar - An opportunity to hear from experts, develop your skills and connect with bat workers from across the country - catch up with old friends and make new ones!

Taking place Friday 5th - Sunday 7th September 2025 at Durham University and online via Zoom.

More conference details are available: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/conferences-symposia/national-bat-conference

Workshop details are available here: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/conferences-symposia/national-bat-conference/workshops

Package notes:

• Conference accommodation are single en-suite bedrooms in Collingwood Hall.
• Friday is a 2 course self-service dinner
• Saturday night is the conference dinner - 3 course served meal with wine and entertainment

Bookings for in-person tickets close on 21st August and 28th August for virtual tickets.

Book your tickets here.

The Great Stour RiverFest 2025 runs from 21st to 28th September this year with various activities to take part in throughout the week, from yoga to guided river walks and of course the all popular bat walks led by Shirley Thompson MBE.

Details of the events celebrating the Great River Stour in Canterbury can be found on Visit Canterbury's website.

Save the date for our AGM and first in person meeting of the winter.

Speaker to be announced.