Volunteer

We are accepting volunteer applications, for those with all COVID vaccinations and rabies pre-exposure vaccinations, to directly care for the bats. Those with COVID vaccinations but without rabies vaccinations can volunteer to transport bats, fundraise for us, or get to know us and the bats by performing bat support work at the refuge.

Volunteer opportunities

Note: If you’d like to volunteer now, please fill out the form above, as it lists current volunteer projects.
We are just now starting to offer most of these opportunities once again, but additional covid variants could cause things to change anytime. Staying up to date on boosters is your best chance to be invited to participate. We ask for a commitment of two hours, twice a week, for at least a month or two, and hopefully longer. Bats’ needs change quickly with the seasons, and less of a commitment requires too much training to catch up on those changes.

Join the CenTex team that is walking the walk here in Bat City! Transport is a good way to get started.

• Fundraising for programs: Solicit underwriters for our children’s education programs and low-income exclusion work.
• Mealworm feeding and maintenance
• Primary volunteer opportunities are during our morning and evening shifts. This includes locating, watering, and feeding free-ranging bats in the aviary, as well as taking care of our permanent resident, non-flying educational bats.* (These opportunities are in high demand and are awarded to those showing dedication over time.)
• Boots-on-the-ground observation of bat emergences in the Central Texas Significant Bat Area
• Transport: We often get calls from people who are unable to bring bats to our facility. These bats will already be contained, so no special skills are necessary. We’ll ask the closest volunteers first, so the more the better. This is a great way that anyone can lend a hand to wildlife in distress.
• Bat rescue: In special circumstances, we may ask for specially trained volunteers to help bats in trouble. Complete our training and become a bat hero!
• Orphan care: We need volunteers to feed baby bats from mid-May through August.* These opportunities are also in high demand and are offered to those showing long-term dedication and commitment.

* Some tasks related to these activities will only be available to individuals who are pre-vaccinated for rabies. Proof of titre is required.

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Some of our (pre-pandemic) accomplishments

March 6, 2019 – Austin Bat Refuge planted two small redbuds (purchased at Barton Springs Nursery), two small Mexican plums (donated by TreeFolks), and thirty other starter saplings of various native species under Congress Avenue Bridge.
Nice work mulching them, Jason and Ian!

March 2, 2020 – We replaced one of the redbud saplings that was shaded out by the giant ragweed with another purchased from Barton Springs Nursery.

March 8, 2020 – We collected ten 55 gallon bags of trash and had them hauled off to get ready for the season. We also pulled up poison ivy by the roots so it won’t grow over the fence this season. Thanks, Lisa and Dylan!

We’ll go back March 14, 2020 to pull up the remaining ragweed.

March 9, 2019, 9am-12pm – Austin Bat Refuge helped The Trail Foundation plant native shrubs and grasses on the shoreline side of the trail at Congress Avenue Bridge.

Thanks for repping Austin Bat Refuge, Kyndal, Marisa, Kartik, Camile, and Michelle! That was so much fun!

Unfortunately, by the end of 2019, most of the plants had been trampled by the bat-viewing crowds. We went back Saturday, March 8, 2020 and bent down the ragweed that was blocking the tourists’ view in a way that prevents further intrusion over the remaining plants.

Current volunteer schedule

Please text us when you arrive and park in front of the facility or in the driveway, if possible. Thanks!

Week starting November 21, 2022

Opportunity	Mon, Nov 21	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun, Nov 22
Morning shift	Lexi 11 am				Lexi 11 am		Carinne 10 am
Evening shift	Loren 5pm	Kyndal 7 pm	Mary 5 pm	Sam 5 pm Lauren 5 pm		Loren 5 pm

Can’t make a regular shift. Thank you for advanced notice of at least 24 hours.

Are you OK? Please let us know 24 hrs in advance if you need some time off for studies or personal stuff. We’ll understand!

Covering a shift. Yay!

Note: If you miss two shifts in a month—without written notice via text or email—we’ll remove you from the schedule and your shift will go to the first volunteer on the waiting list. You’ll be welcomed back with open arms anytime you can be a regular!

Our illustrious alumni

We love you all! Having you in our lives is the next best thing about this gig (second only to the bats!). Please come visit anytime and come back when you can take a regular shift.

Thanks so much for all your love, sweat, and tears. Oh, and for donating blood to our mosquitos!

(this list is in serious need of updating)