Bats get a bad rap because there are so many scary myths about them. But bats, the only flying mammals, are actually very beneficial to humans: they are lean, mean, bug eating machines!
Vicky Benham Smith will be bringing two adorable bat ambassadors to help us learn about the incredible variety of bat species and their important role in the web of life. Presentations with live bats will be at 10:30 am, 11:30 am and 12:30 pm only. No reservations are needed, but be sure to arrive 15 minutes before the program time to allow time to park, check in and get your seat.
Vicky, who will be bringing two Egyptian Fruit Bats for the program, has been involved in bat education for over 20 years. She began her environmental education career as a volunteer educator at the Birmingham Zoo and has presented programs to over 7,500 people through her traveling programs with A-Z Animals including presentations at the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, Auburn University Environmental Institute, and various public schools. Vicky is a member of the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia where she served on the Board for 9 years and is a member of the National Association for Interpretation
The Preserve will be open 10 am – 5 pm for hiking on your own; a fun craft & interactive educational materials are available for kids ages 3-11. Admission is $3 per person/max $10 per family or FREE to members and includes parking & hiking. Visitors may hike one of the Preserve’s three trails that range in length from a stroll of .25 mi to a 1.7 mi loop trail around the lake.
Leashed dogs are welcome, but the trails do not accommodate strollers. Please arrive no later than 4 pm so you will have time to finish your hike before we close.
Directions: We are located off Douthit Bridge Rd, accessed only from Hwy 61 (between Cartersville & Dallas). Since our location is off the beaten path, many map programs do NOT provide accurate directions. Use the info on our Contact Us page. For GPS, use "Douthit Bridge Rd, Dallas, 30132", then follow signs.
"Bat Lady" Vicky Benham Smith poses with one of her Bat AmbassadorsEvent Description:Bats get a bad rap because there are so many scary myths about them. But bats, the only flying mammals, are actually very beneficial to humans: they are lean, mean, bug eating machines!