A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2025, to October 31, 2025, as "Bat Week".
This is a Senate resolution (S. Res. 454) expressing support for designating the week of October 24–31, 2025, as “Bat Week.” It is a non-binding, symbolic measure that urges observance of Bat Week with events and activities, and highlights bats’ important ecological and economic roles—such as pollination, pest control, and seed dispersal—along with the substantial annual pest-control savings to U.S. agriculture. The resolution also draws attention to the threat of white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has devastated bat populations across many states, and reiterates a commitment to conserve bat species and their habitats while continuing to combat the disease. It notes extensive interagency and international collaboration, including data gathering through the North American Bat Monitoring Program, led by the US Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Welch on October 16, 2025, the measure is referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. As a resolution, it does not create new laws or funding obligations; rather, it serves to raise awareness, acknowledge the importance of bats, and reaffirm ongoing commitments to bat conservation and white-nose syndrome research and management.
Key Points
- 1Designates October 24–31, 2025, as “Bat Week” and urges observance with relevant events and activities.
- 2Emphasizes bats’ roles in pollination and biological pest control, which support agriculture and natural ecosystems.
- 3Highlights the impact of white-nose syndrome, noting its spread to 40 states and 12 bat species, including endangered species like the northern long-eared bat.
- 4Describes ongoing, multiagency efforts to respond to the disease and conserve bats, including leadership by the Department of the Interior (USFWS, USGS, NPS, BLM) and collaboration with the US Forest Service, tribes, states, NGOs, and universities.
- 5References the North American Bat Monitoring Program (co-led by USGS and USFWS), which aggregates vast bat data from numerous states, provinces, and tribal groups to inform conservation decisions.