The College of Math and Science is launching an "Adopt-a-Bat" program to support the conservation of bats and their habitats in western Oklahoma.
William Caire, Ph.D. and director of the Selman Living Laboratory, said that the money will go to the Selman Living Laboratory near Freedom, Okla. The SLL is UCO's biological field station containing eight species of bats.
"I think there is a lot of interest in the state," Caire said.
Over 260 donation forms were sent out to alumnus to adopt a bat, Caire said. The donator can pick one of the eight species of bats listed on the form and donate a minimum of $25. The donator can either adopt a bat for them self or as a gift.
They will receive a glossy photo of the bat being sponsored and its ecology in the mail, Caire said.
Caire said that he also wants to, "use the funds to educate people on the importance of bats." He said that he wants to see in years to come colleges use the lab for research and study. Caire said that in essence it's a donation for bat education and conservation.
Caire said that 100 percent of the proceeds donated will go toward the program.
Beverly Endicott, director of development, said that they have already received over $500 for the program.
"It's generated a lot of buzz," she said. "It's different and a great way to inform people about the lab."
Caire said this program will give students a chance to be exposed to nature. The youth of America, he said, tend to have "nature phobia." Going to the lab for a weekend or donating money will help students be more confident, Caire said. Every weekend in July, he said, there is a bat tour at the SLL, followed by an astronomy viewing for students or groups to come and see the bat cave.
For more information on the SLL, contact Caire at (405) 974-5480. To donate to the program, contact Endicott at (405) 974-3563 or bendicott@ucok.edu.
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