While marking location of the underground utility lines prior to digging post holes, someone remarked that it seemed an odd place for a batting cage. No, not a batting cage; a bat box; for bats.
Boy Scout Jack Berberette and friends install one of five bat roost boxes
After months of research, planning, gathering materials and building five bat roost boxes, Boy Scout, Jack Berberette was finally ready to install them at Bear Creek Lake State Park. The successful completion of the project will gain Jack the rank of Eagle Scout, in the Boy Scouts of America.
Jack and his helpers provide a wider habitat for bats by installing roost boxes
The population of bats has declined in Virginia in recent years, precipitously so in some areas. Although the Virginia State bat, the Big-Eared Bat, is not found in the central piedmont, many other bat species are. By establishing a safe place to roost that does not pose a nuisance to homeowners, Jack hopes to help restore the bat population. For those who may have complained about too many bugs and no-see-ums during a summer camping trip, there is a natural remedy that does not harm the environment – bats. Ironically, damage to the environment, especially wetlands, is one of the contributing factors to the bat population decrease. By installing roost boxes, we can provide a wider habitat and hopefully stop the decline. Thanks, Jack, for a job well done.
The park is located about 4.5 miles northwest of the town of Cumberland. From U.S. Route 60, go west on Route 622 and south on Route 629 to the park entrance.
Drive Time: Northern Va., three hours; Richmond, one hour; Roanoke, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours.
