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 SHOWN AN 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  

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 and long time volunteer Liz Vinson.

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.

Claire Munn, a professional ecologist, will be giving a talk about how these two conservation types, which initially can seem to be conflicting, can actually go hand-in-hand. She has spent several years working with bats and people at a wide range of historic sites, both as a professional ecologist and volunteer. Using local examples, in this case the excting site of Dover, she will show how bat and building conservation can work together. 

A Zoom link will be sent via email to all members registered to receive them.