The Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society is a volunteer community group working to conserve all bat species in the Sydney region, especially the grey-headed flying-fox. Our aims are to protect and restore flying-fox habitat in the Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve at Gordon, to raise funds for research and habitat restoration, to educate the community about the importance of flying-foxes, and to advise government on matters affecting them.
A complete listing of our aims and objectives is set out in our constitution.
Our committee
KBCS is run by a volunteer management committee. We hold our annual general meeting in August or September each year, and the committee meets at least four times a year. Members who would like to take a more active part — by joining the committee or helping with particular projects — are always welcome to get in touch.
Our history
1985 — the Ku-ring-gai Bat Colony Committee (KBCC) was formed to protect the flying-fox maternity camp at Gordon, on Sydney's north shore, when a proposed housing development threatened its habitat. The land was purchased jointly by the NSW Government and Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council on the advice of the Heritage Council.
1986 — KBCC began producing its quarterly newsletter, Friends of Bats. The newsletter archive holds the first three editions and more recent issues.
1987 — KBCC was incorporated under the NSW Incorporated Associations Act, and the habitat restoration project in the Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve began with the approval of Ku-ring-gai Council. Read more about the restoration project.
1998 — KBCC was reconstituted as the Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society (KBCS) Inc., an association with a general membership and an elected committee. This enabled KBCS to set up its Gift Fund, and the website sydneybats.org.au was launched.
Since then the organisation's focus has been:
- Protecting and restoring habitat in the Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve, jointly with Ku-ring-gai Council
- Raising funds for research and habitat restoration
- Public education to raise awareness of the importance of flying-foxes
- Advising government on related matters