Join us on April 7-8, 2026 in Micanopy, Florida
The mission of the Florida Bat Working Group (FLBWG) is to conserve Florida's bats through collaborative research, management, and education among agencies, organizations, and individuals. The annual meeting provides the opportunity to build those collaborations and ensure a bright future for Florida's bats! We invite anyone who is currently working on bat-related projects, research, management, rehabilitation, education, conservation, or other aspects to join us for the 2026 annual meeting.
REGISTRATION:
There will be a $30 meeting fee for all attendees and pre-registration is required. Register and pay the fee by Monday, March 23, 2026 via the SBDN website; no late registrants will be accepted. No refunds.
Everyone who attends the annual meeting becomes a member for the term of April 2026 to March 2027. FLBWG annual membership fee is incorporated into the meeting registration cost; you will NOT pay an annual membership fee separately. Details about FLBWG membership.
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS:
This annual meeting is the ideal opportunity to share resources and form collaborations. We encourage all members to share information on your current projects, future plans, enlightening insights, and other bat resources. We are now accepting proposals for full-length talks (10-30 minutes) and lightning talks (3-4 minutes). Preference will be given to current FLBWG members. Submit your abstract here by Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.
LOCATION:
The meeting will be held at Alachua County’s Cuscowilla Nature & Retreat Center, 210 SE 134 Ave, Micanopy, FL. Specific directions will be emailed to registrants prior to the meeting.
START & END TIME:
We encourage everyone to attend both days of the meeting:
● Tuesday, April 7 from 10:00am to 5:00pm, followed by evening networking social (5:30pm-7:30pm)
● Wednesday, April 8 from 8:30am to 12:30pm
MEALS:
FLBWG will provide lunch on Tuesday for all meeting attendees. Refreshments will be available at the evening social. No other meals will be provided. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available during scheduled breaks.
LODGING OPTIONS:
Shared lodging is available in very basic cabins for meeting attendees at Cuscowilla for Tuesday night. Each cabin has A/C, heat, full bathroom, mini-fridge and microwave. Cabins will be shared among 3-4 people and FLBWG will match roommates. Capacity is limited. Advanced reservation and payment is required ($15 per person) by Monday, March 23, 2026 via the SBDN website no late registrants will be accommodated. No refunds.
Hotels: many affordable hotels are located in nearby Gainesville, FL.
NETWORKING SOCIAL:
On Tuesday evening, there will be a networking social in Gainesville from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Refreshments will be available. UF Bat House emergence is around 8PM if you would like to visit on your own!
AGENDA:
The meeting will feature presentations on Florida-specific bat issues, small group discussions on shared interests, selected presentations, lightning talks, collaborative committees, updates from the FLBWG Board of Directors, time for networking, and an opportunity to visit the giant University of Florida bat houses. We do not expect updates from USFWS this year as our federal members are under travel restrictions. Draft of 2026 AGENDA.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Without a small army of energetic and enthusiastic planners each year, the annual meeting simply cannot happen. We understand that everyone is juggling many hats and plates in their everyday lives, and we need help! Specific tasks include planning the agenda, organizing abstracts, ordering food, arranging the evening social, and more. If you can spare a few hours between now and early April, please contact: [email protected].
MORE INFORMATION:
If you have ANY questions or problems with the registration system, please email the FLBWG at flbatwg@gmail (please do NOT contact SBDN).
The mission of the Florida Bat Working Group (FLBWG) is to conserve Florida's bats through collaborative research, management, and education among agencies, organizations, and individuals. The annual meeting provides the opportunity to build those collaborations and ensure a bright future for Florida's bats! We invite anyone who is currently working on bat-related projects, research, management, rehabilitation, education, conservation, or other aspects to join us for the 2026 annual meeting.
REGISTRATION:
There will be a $30 meeting fee for all attendees and pre-registration is required. Register and pay the fee by Monday, March 23, 2026 via the SBDN website; no late registrants will be accepted. No refunds.
Everyone who attends the annual meeting becomes a member for the term of April 2026 to March 2027. FLBWG annual membership fee is incorporated into the meeting registration cost; you will NOT pay an annual membership fee separately. Details about FLBWG membership.
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS:
This annual meeting is the ideal opportunity to share resources and form collaborations. We encourage all members to share information on your current projects, future plans, enlightening insights, and other bat resources. We are now accepting proposals for full-length talks (10-30 minutes) and lightning talks (3-4 minutes). Preference will be given to current FLBWG members. Submit your abstract here by Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.
LOCATION:
The meeting will be held at Alachua County’s Cuscowilla Nature & Retreat Center, 210 SE 134 Ave, Micanopy, FL. Specific directions will be emailed to registrants prior to the meeting.
START & END TIME:
We encourage everyone to attend both days of the meeting:
● Tuesday, April 7 from 10:00am to 5:00pm, followed by evening networking social (5:30pm-7:30pm)
● Wednesday, April 8 from 8:30am to 12:30pm
MEALS:
FLBWG will provide lunch on Tuesday for all meeting attendees. Refreshments will be available at the evening social. No other meals will be provided. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available during scheduled breaks.
LODGING OPTIONS:
Shared lodging is available in very basic cabins for meeting attendees at Cuscowilla for Tuesday night. Each cabin has A/C, heat, full bathroom, mini-fridge and microwave. Cabins will be shared among 3-4 people and FLBWG will match roommates. Capacity is limited. Advanced reservation and payment is required ($15 per person) by Monday, March 23, 2026 via the SBDN website no late registrants will be accommodated. No refunds.
Hotels: many affordable hotels are located in nearby Gainesville, FL.
- 11 minutes away on SW 13th St.
- 15 minutes away in downtown Gainesville (Main St and University Ave)
- 12 minutes away off I-75 & SW Williston Rd.
- 13 minutes away off I-75 & Archer Rd.
NETWORKING SOCIAL:
On Tuesday evening, there will be a networking social in Gainesville from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Refreshments will be available. UF Bat House emergence is around 8PM if you would like to visit on your own!
AGENDA:
The meeting will feature presentations on Florida-specific bat issues, small group discussions on shared interests, selected presentations, lightning talks, collaborative committees, updates from the FLBWG Board of Directors, time for networking, and an opportunity to visit the giant University of Florida bat houses. We do not expect updates from USFWS this year as our federal members are under travel restrictions. Draft of 2026 AGENDA.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Without a small army of energetic and enthusiastic planners each year, the annual meeting simply cannot happen. We understand that everyone is juggling many hats and plates in their everyday lives, and we need help! Specific tasks include planning the agenda, organizing abstracts, ordering food, arranging the evening social, and more. If you can spare a few hours between now and early April, please contact: [email protected].
MORE INFORMATION:
If you have ANY questions or problems with the registration system, please email the FLBWG at flbatwg@gmail (please do NOT contact SBDN).
Members at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Florida Bat Working Group, held in Micanopy, FL
