• Homeless bats to get a new habitat in Southeastern B.C.

VANCOUVER, Oct. 28, 2011 /CNW/ - Approximately 1,500 homeless little brown bats will have a new place to call home by next Halloween thanks in part to funding from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Last spring, an abandoned building that was originally donated to The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) caught fire and forced a large number of bats to lose their homes. At the time, a simple structure was built to provide basic temporary shelter for roosting bats. The project will build permanent bat houses and hotels that will help the animals keep warm and survive during the cold winters.

The area around Nakusp and Fauquier was impacted by the installation of dams and as such, habitat for some wildlife species, including bats, was lost. In this area, TLC owns a property that provides suitable habitat for maternal bat colonies due to its proximity to water and food, a south facing slope for warmth and sheltered protection from trees.

TLC is working with a local bat biologist on a bat habitat enhancement project to build and install several bat houses, all of various size and shape. This spring, the bat houses will be installed and the community will be invited to assist with future monitoring of the site, as well as to attend an interpretive talk.

"This is a perfect opportunity to combine environmental education with habitat restoration," said Emily Nilsen, Senior Project Officer, TLC.

TD FEF is excited to provide funding for this important project. The community of Fauquier and TLC are working in partnership to provide suitable habitat for these bats and several species at risk including Townsend's big eared bat.

"Assisting wildlife rehabilitation programs is a priority for TD FEF and we are proud of our role in helping organizations and communities continue to do their work," said Mandip Kharod, Regional Manager, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:

Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $54 million in funding to approximately 20,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2010, TD FEF provided more than $3.5 million in support of 970 projects.  Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com