Our 2024 2nd Quarter Beneficiary is:
Lubee Bat Conservancy
$1 from every candle sold from April 1st - June 30th will be donated to the Lubee Bat Conservancy.
Founded in 1989, Lubee Bat Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving bats and their habitats through conservation, education, and awareness, with a focus on children and community engagement.
Lubee places animal care, conservation, and education as their three core institutional purposes. At Lubee animal welfare is held to the highest standard ensuring their animals receive the best care in line with modern zoological practices and philosophies. Hosting local and global conservation education programs to connect children with nature, foster environmental stewardship, and inspire the next generation of conservation scientists to become leaders within their communities.
Lubee is the global leader in fruit bat care, husbandry, and medical management.
Located in Gainesville, Florida, Lubee is home to over 150 bats from 12 different species, some of which are endangered or near threatened. These bats spend their days playing, socializing, and interacting with their roost mates. As a USDA registered and AZA certified related zoological institution, Lubee ensures that the animals and facilities are maintained to the highest ethical standards. Learn more about their current residents and watch their live bat cams, here!
Working with a team of conservation scientists, educators and zoological professionals around the world, Lubee has addressed diverse threats faced by endangered species. Field projects have been conducted in 25 countries and our education programs continue to inform the public about the critical relationship between bats, ecosystems and human health. With a focus on children and community engagement, our education programs in FL continue to reach over 30,000 people annually. Projects have included empowerment of women's groups, job creation, forest protection, and construction of schools in areas of critical need.
Up & Coming:
Lubee is in communication with partners in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, to initiate a multi-year study aimed at finding and protecting some of the last populations of critically endangered Monkey-Faced Bats. The project will be led by local biologists and communities, to find these five species, map roosts, determine threats, and initiate attainable conservation strategies. The hope is to also inspire school-age children to join the project with the goal of furthering academic studies and inclusion into field work.
