In February, the Ajdovščina AEC developed a special programme in which local men rolled up their sleeves and worked together to help protect a frequently overlooked and unjustly neglected species – bats.
Bats are important nocturnal allies to humans, acting as natural regulators of insect populations. Most species found in Slovenia are insectivorous and feed on mosquitoes at night, helping to reduce the nuisance caused by pests. For their survival, they need suitable shelters such as attics, tree hollows or caves, as well as sufficiently rich feeding grounds. Due to human interference with natural habitats, bats are under threat not only in Slovenia but worldwide.
There are several ways we can support their conservation: by maintaining access to attics and natural shelters, preserving meadows, old trees and forest areas, reducing light pollution and limiting the use of pesticides. One practical measure is the installation of specially designed roosting boxes, such as those made by participants in a programme within the Goriška Multi-Generational Centre project.
A group of older men and younger boys came together, beginning with a series of informative insights about bats delivered by the Slovenian Association for Bat Research and Conservation, where a design for constructing roosting boxes was also obtained. With tools, workspace and materials provided, the participants worked alongside skilled professionals to cut and assemble wooden roosting boxes.
There was no shortage of shared planning, cooperation and laughter. As they worked, the men reminisced about their youth, supporting one another and guiding the younger boys in the proper use of tools, screws and other equipment. Hours passed quickly, and before long, the table was filled with completed bat roosting boxes, which the participants would install in carefully selected locations around their homes and in orchards. Everyone gained valuable knowledge, met new people and returned home with a sense of accomplishment, having contributed to an important nature conservation effort.
We hope that at least some of the 32 bat species found in Slovenia will take up residence in these roosting boxes, bringing more bats and fewer mosquitoes to our skies.
Blanka Jamšek, MSc, (blanka.jamsek@lu-ajdovscina.si), Goriška Multi-Generational Centre
Funding
The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and the European Social Fund Plus under the European Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027, Policy Objective 4 ‘A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights’, Priority 7 ‘Long-term care and health and social inclusion’, Specific Objective ESO4.12 ‘Promoting the social inclusion of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including the most deprived and children’.