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	Shop At ACME Your weekly trip to the local Acme Market can save rare animals on the other side of the world. If you've ever seen one, you know the face of a Rodrigues fruit bat bears a close resemblance to that of a Pomeranian. Even if you're not a fan of Pomeranians, you have to agree that these bats are one of the most attractive members of the chiropteran order. They are also one of the most endangered. The Philadelphia Zoo's award-winning Rodrigues Fruit Bat Conservation Project is helping to save this rare animal from becoming extinct on its native island of Rodrigues. You can help too by shopping at Acme and sending your grocery receipts to the Zoo. The Acme Tape Saver program will redeem 1% of your total grocery bill to the Zoo in support of its conservation initiatives, specifically its efforts to protect the Rodrigues fruit bat. Register tapes can be sent to the attention of Valerie Peckham, Conservation Program Coordinator, Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
	Build A Bat Box If you build it, will they come? Maybe, but it could take a while. Bats are very discriminating house hunters. The number of natural roosting sites preferred by bats has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, paving the way for an emergence of boxes that can house anywhere from 10 to over 10,000 animals. Design and construction quality are of the utmost importance to bats, so it would be wise to select from the many styles of bat boxes that have been certified by Bat Conservation International to increase your chances of attracting one. Adequate sun exposure and proximity to water are also important to your potential boarders. All certified bat houses and kits come complete with assembly and installation directions that will address these needs, and also provide answers to frequently asked questions about bat houses. Not only do bat boxes provide wonderful summer homes for common species of these fascinating mammals, like the little brown or Eastern pipistrelle, they can also provide shelter for endangered species like the Indiana bat.
	Support Local Farms Swing by your local farmstand, pick up some fresh vegetables and save a bat. Farming provides an important source of food and income for Rodriguans, just as it does for many Americans. As responsible stewards of the land, sustainable farmers strive to produce food without damaging the natural environment. By participating in community-based environmental projects that work to counteract issues like habitat loss, extensive soil erosion and water shortages, Rodriguans are helping to restore critical habitat for the fruit bat as well as gain financial security for themselves. The support of sustainable farming in the U.S. is just as important to North American wildlife. Small, local farms preserve habitat by utilizing sustainable farming techniques that reduce soil erosion, raise organic products without pesticides and other harmful chemicals and conserve natural resources. There are more than 3,000 farmers markets in the U.S. You can protect bats, and other local wildlife, each time you buy from one of them.
	Track Curb Appeal Volunteer research associates are needed to conduct and monitor experiments in critical bat habitat. The Bat House Project was created by Bat Conservation International (BCI) to advance the knowledge of artificial bat habitat. If you have a bat box, scientists need you to monitor its usage and let them know which bats are using which boxes. BCI has created a Bat House Data Report Form to make comprehensive data collection and submission quick and easy. In addition to documenting details on your own backyard bat house activity, BCI would like to partner with you if you live in an area with distinctive habitat conditions. Testing bat behaviors in a variety of settings can provide valuable information for enhancing existing bat box designs and even developing new ones. BCI may be able to provide bat boxes, materials or other devices to assist you in conducting effective experiments. Check BCI's "Experiments Needed" section listed on the "Bat House Projects" page for more information about research partnerships and for details on species-specific bat studies near you!
	Clean A Stream Hanging out along the Delaware River is great for bats. Creeks and streams provide valuable habitat, food and water sources for many wildlife species. All Pennsylvania bats are insectivores, and often feed over water; which is one more reason to ensure the health of our streams and local watersheds. The Delaware River watershed encompasses over 13 thousand square miles, and the Delaware River Keeper Network (DRKN) partners with volunteers year-round to monitor and protect this amazing resource. On the island of Rodrigues, fruit bat habitat and food sources are in constant danger of being swept out to sea by cyclones. Our local bats are more heavily impacted by the negative effects of "nonpoint Source" (NPS) pollutants contaminating their watershed via runoff from rainfall or melting snow. Two examples of NPS pollutants would be excess pesticides and fertilizers from farm lands or residential areas, or sediment from improperly managed construction sites. Participation in the DRKN's Pollution Monitoring Studies is one of several ways to become involved in volunteer projects designed to survey and restore local water sources. You can also help without leaving home.

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