MTMerlin Tuttles Bat Conservation Inc
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About Merlin Tuttles Bat Conservation Inc
Bats can be welcomed, studied, and protected when people understand what they contribute. From Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge colony, which grew to 1.5 million bats and attracts millions of tourist dollars each summer, to conservation guidance for communities around the world, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation makes that understanding practical. Your support helps fund education, habitat advice, research support, field training, and the preservation of a remarkable bat photo archive.
Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation draws on more than 60 years of bat research and field experience, along with a wildlife photography archive documenting 404 species from 45 countries. Its guiding idea, “Winning friends, not battles,” puts appreciation and the benefits bats bring to people at the center of conservation.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Educational programs and speaking engagements
Webinars, media interviews, public lectures, training sessions, conservation consultations and educational events for educators, conservationists, the public and virologists worldwide.
Bat conservation research and habitat guidance
Research and advice on best practices for creating and restoring critical roosting habitat, protecting caves and addressing conservation issues affecting bats.
Bat Scan Project
Preservation, digitization, keywording, captioning, taxonomic review and long-term management of Merlin Tuttle’s bat photo collection for science, education and conservation.
Member workshops and field training
Hands-on workshops that teach bat handling, photography, conservation skills, acoustic monitoring, species identification and field research methods.
Ambassadorial appearances and conservation consulting
Media appearances, public lectures, training sessions, international outreach and conservation advice supported by bat photography and field experience.
Bat house certification program
An official certification program that evaluates bat houses and provides a seal of approval for products meeting MTBC criteria.
Scholarships and awards
Scholarships and awards supporting bat research, conservation and documentation of bats’ ecological and economic roles.
Bat photography and educational resources
Photographs, books, guides, videos and educational materials about bat diversity, behavior, values and conservation.
About this work
Mission
Inspiring bat conservation worldwide by teaching people to understand and appreciate the vital contributions bats make to human beings and the world.
Who they serve
Educators, conservationists, researchers, virologists, farmers, naturalists, students, policymakers, media professionals, local communities and members of the public seeking science-based information about bats.
Their impact
- The Congress Avenue Bridge colony in Austin grew to 1.5 million bats that are enthusiastically welcomed and attract millions of tourist dollars each summer.
- MTBC’s Bat Scan Project sorted approximately 100,000 35 mm slides and scanned, keyworded and archived the best 18,000 by early 2019.
- The digitized photo collection provides access to 404 bat species from 45 countries, representing 20 families and 153 genera.
- MTBC’s 2023 ambassadorial appearances reached approximately 100 million people in more than 70 countries.
- MTBC’s work in Thailand helped a small community generate more than $500,000 annually through guano sales, crop protection and bat tourism.
How your donation helps
- Protecting bats and securing their environments
- Teaching people about bat values and conservation
- Preserving and sharing Merlin Tuttle’s more than 60-year legacy
- Maintaining and expanding the Bat Scan Project and photo collection
- Supporting educational programs, workshops and conservation activities
- Funding scholarships and awards for bat research and conservation
Need help?
How someone in need can access Merlin Tuttles Bat Conservation Inc’s services.
People seeking bat information can use MTBC’s educational resources, guides, videos and public programs. Individuals interested in workshops or events can monitor the events page, join the mailing list or become a member for priority notices. Press inquiries can be directed to press@merlintuttle.org.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“Winning friends, not battles.”, Merlin Tuttle’s conservation philosophy
“Inspiring bat conservation worldwide.”, MTBC mission statement
“Our Resources are here to help you, help bats, and help people everywhere.”, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation
In the news
Recent independent coverage of this organization.
- Austin’s ‘bat attitude’ prevailstexarkanagazette.com
- Bat conservation group founder Tuttle still has passion for batsstatesman.com
Grant support
$217,000 from 4 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- Tejemos Foundation — $100,000 (2024)Program/Project Support
- SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION — $12,000 (2024)GENERAL SUPPORT
- The Brown Foundation Inc — $55,000 (2023)Guano Study and Bat Box Temperature Study
- SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION — $25,000 (2023)GENERAL SUPPORT
- The Philecology Foundation — $25,000 (2023)PHASE II OF BAT SCAN PROJECT
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Merlin Tuttles Bat Conservation Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Funding to preserve and maintain Merlin Tuttle’s bat photo collection
- Support for conservation programs, educational activities and workshops
- Funding for scholarships and awards supporting bat research
- Support for long-term management and security of the Bat Scan Project
- Members and donors to help preserve and share Merlin Tuttle’s conservation legacy
Volunteer opportunities
- General-interest volunteering through MTBC
- Participation in field workshops and citizen-science activities
- Bat handling, photography and conservation training through member workshops
- Assistance with local bat population surveys during field activities
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Gerrit S. Miller, Jr. Award, 1986
- Society for Conservation Biology Distinguished Achievement Award, 1991
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chuck Yeager Award, 1997
- Chevron/Times Mirror Magazine Conservation Award, 1997
- National Wildlife Federation National Conservation Achievement Award, 2001
- U.S. Congressional Award, 2007
- North American Society for Bat Research Life Membership, 2011
- Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Andrews University, 2015
- Austin Merlin Tuttle Day proclamation, City of Austin, 2021
- Family Eldercare 80 Over 80 recognition, 2022
- RecognizeGood.org Legendary Volunteers recognition, 2022
In the media
- Spectrum News 1, “Texas man devotes life to saving bats,” a feature on Merlin Tuttle and his bat conservation work.
- National Geographic, “To Know Bats Is to Love Them,” a feature about Merlin Tuttle’s work and appreciation of bats.
- National Geographic, “This Book Drives a Wooden Stake into the Mythology of Bats,” coverage of Merlin Tuttle’s bat book and efforts to change perceptions of bats.
- The Wall Street Journal, coverage of Merlin Tuttle’s book The Secret Lives of Bats.
- Nature, coverage of Merlin Tuttle’s book and bat conservation work.
- New Scientist, “The Secret Lives of Bats: The adventures of the real batman,” a feature on Merlin Tuttle’s bat research and conservation.
- The New Yorker, coverage of Merlin Tuttle and the value of bats.
- Mongabay, “Bats and viruses: Beating back a bad reputation,” featuring Merlin Tuttle’s perspective on bats and disease claims.
- Slate, “Humans Shouldn’t Be So Scared of Bats,” featuring Merlin Tuttle’s bat conservation perspective.
- SXSW, a 2023 panel featuring Merlin Tuttle on bats and conservation.
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What is the Bat Scan Project?
The Bat Scan Project preserves and digitizes Merlin Tuttle’s bat photo collection. It includes 404 species from 45 countries, and selected images are available to nonprofits and educators for nonprofit and educational use.
What do MTBC workshops involve?
Workshops offer hands-on instruction in bat handling, photography, and conservation. Participants may also learn acoustic monitoring, echolocation analysis, species identification, and field survey methods.
How does the bat house certification program work?
MTBC evaluates bat houses against its criteria and gives qualifying products a seal of approval. The program helps customers identify bat houses that meet those standards.
Who can use MTBC’s bat photographs?
Educators, conservationists, and nonprofit organizations can access the photographs at little to no cost for nonprofit and educational use. Commercial publishers may access images at reasonable fees, which help support collection maintenance.
What do MTBC scholarships and awards support?
Scholarships and awards support researchers documenting bats’ ecological and economic roles and advancing bat conservation. Awards are preferentially targeted to individuals showing special conservation dedication in developing countries.
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