Bat-friendly Community

The Township of Langley has received certification as a Bat-Friendly Community from the Community Bat Programs of BC. A Bat-Friendly Community works to incorporate bat habitats into planning processes, reduces direct threats to bats, and promotes education and awareness of bats.

The Township is committed to support bat conservation through partnerships with local environmental organizations and the installation of bat boxes in parks, such as Derek Doubleday Arboretum and Old Yale Park. These efforts align with the Township’s Climate Action and Agricultural Viability strategies, reinforcing a community‑wide commitment to habitat protection and ecological stewardship.

There are nine species of bats in the Township:

Townsend’s Big-eared Bat
Hoary Bat
Eastern Red Bat
Silver-haired Bat
Big Brown Bat
Yuma Myotis
Californian Myotis
Long-legged Myotis
Little Brown Myotis

Bats are a very important component of the ecosystem. Bats provide the best organic pest control available, and they work for free! All bats in B.C. are insectivores and consume many insects, including moths, spiders, beetles and mosquitoes.

How you can help bats

Contact the BC Community Bat Program if you have bats in your house, shed, or property
Provide food and habitat for bats by planting native night-blooming light-coloured flowers
Consider leaving a wildlife stump if removing a dead tree
Avoid use of pesticides
Use motion sensor lights to reduce bright outdoor lights at night

All species of bats in BC are protected from being hunted, captured, killed, transported or harassed in the BC Wildlife Act, and many are listed species at risk or endangered. This means that bats cannot be relocated or disturbed during their active breeding season between May 1 and September 1.

Resources

Learn more about bats by reviewing the Bat-Friendly Communities Handout or the more detailed Bat-Friendly Communities Guidance Document.