Annual Halloween event at Jennings to celebrate bats

Staff report

Slippery Rock, Pa.

The Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, will host its annual Halloween nighttime program celebrating the international year of the bat at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.

Jennings officials said bats have long been misunderstood, maligned and considered one of the more frightful creatures of the night.

As the only flying mammals, bats have been moving through the night sky for millions of years.

Nonetheless, bats make good neighbors.

A single colony of little brown bats consumes a quarter of a million mosquitoes and other insects each night, according to Jennings officials.

The program’s goal is to change preconceptions about bats with an indoor slide presentation that will examine the truth about the animals, the ecological benefits they provide, and current threats to their populations.

The presentation will be followed by a guided outdoor walk that will teach how bats and other nocturnal animals are adapted for survival.

During the walk, there will be demonstrations on how night affects the five senses of humans, and guests will depend on their night vision as they walk the forested trail.

Due to its nature, the program is not recommended for young children or for those who might be uncomfortable in complete darkness.

Jennings is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and on weekends as scheduled.