Wellington Shire Council’s educational campaign around a widely misunderstood species, the Grey-headed Flying Fox, will return to Nakunbalook Environmental and Cultural Education Centre in Sale this February.

Wellington Shire’s resident bat colonies have returned to roost in many areas around the Shire, including a large colony along the shores of Sale's Lake Guthridge and Lake Guyatt. In response, Council will again join with Moonshadow Flying Fox Rescue to run free ‘Bat Chat’ sessions and set up a temporary display to educate the community around how to safely share the environment with the vulnerable species.

Attendees should meet at Nakunbalook for a short presentation, followed by a short walk to Lake Guyatt to see the bats skim the lake to collect water on their fur before heading out to feed for the evening. Lynne and Chris from Moonshadow Flying Fox Rescue will be at Nakunbalook to share stories and answe rany questions.

The educational display will be open every Friday in February from 11am-1pm, Wednesday 6 February from 9am until 12pm, Monday 19 February from 9.30am until 11.30am and Tuesday 20 February from 10am until 12pm.

No bookings are required for ‘Bat Chat’ sessions or visiting the display, but people are encouraged to stop by and have a chat about Australia's largest native bat and the crucial role it plays in the health of the bush as a major pollinator.

As part of Council’s Grey-Headed Flying Fox Management Plan, Council is committed to community education around the bats to improve understanding and appreciation of the species.

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