Vision

Our vision was to create a safe, welcoming environment for local bat populations through the installation of bat boxes at Geary Elementary Community School. By fostering a deeper understanding of these important creatures, we aim to promote environmental stewardship and biodiversity, ensuring a healthy ecosystem for future generations.

Action

Our Grade 4 class at Geary Elementary Community School undertook a three-week Action Project focused on protecting local bat populations affected by White Nose Syndrome, in particular the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and the Tricolour Bat (Perimyotis subflavus). After learning about this devastating fungal disease, through classroom discussions, scientific resources, and the Land and Sea documentary episode, our students became deeply motivated to help.

We learned how important bats are to our ecosystem: they help control insect populations and act as pollinators, both of which are essential for healthy forests and local agriculture. The loss of bats could lead to increased pesticide use and negatively impact biodiversity, pollination, and food systems. These issues are directly tied to climate change and environmental sustainability.

With support from LSF and a partnership with a local lumber mill, our students designed and built 20 bat boxes. These boxes provide safe, dry places for bats to roost, which is especially important as their natural habitats decline. The lumber mill not only provided materials but also guided students through the construction process and have assisted us with installing the boxes around our school’s surrounding wooded area.

This hands-on experience helped students feel empowered and connected to real-world environmental challenges. They were inspired by the idea that their actions, no matter how small, can make a difference in supporting biodiversity and restoring balance in our ecosystems. This project has also strengthened community ties and given students a lasting sense of stewardship for the local environment. Additionally, students explored their experiences and new knowledge of bats and their homes in cross-curricular activities. Students worked on creating procedural writing pieces (not yet complete) on how to build a bat box, drafted up their bat box designs during art, and even applied their new knowledge when navigating issues related to industries in social socials. Overall, the students involved learned about what it means to be a global and sustainable citizen.

By protecting bats, we are taking a small but meaningful step toward a more sustainable future, one where communities understand the value of local species and the role they play in broader environmental health.

Reflection & Celebration

Not only did this allow us a great opportunity to learn more about the actions we can do to help our environment, it also gave us further connections to the community, confidence for my students who typically struggle, and raised awareness of about important issues.