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For anyone who hasn't heard about our grassroots campaign yet, Our State, Our Bat is a citizen led effort to designate our incredible native Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) as our official state mammal! 🦇💚

What started as a simple idea has grown into an amazing statewide movement. Thanks to community members stepping up, we’ve already secured official municipal support, organizational backing, and best of all, a state representative who is officially authoring the bill for the upcoming 2027 legislative session!

Now, we are in the final home stretch. Our petition is currently sitting at 4,231 signatures, and our goal is to hit 5,000 by the end of this month when the campaign concludes, so we can prep our complete legislative packet.

We need all the support we can get from our local neighbors to cross that finish line. If you haven't signed yet, please take a quick second to add your name, and help us spread the word to your friends, family, and local groups.

Let’s make our little Hoosier Heroes official, Indiana! Sign the petition here: https://c.org/JrdDXNvVh8

Right now, Indiana bats are entering their "swarming" phase. Flying in and out of cave entrances to congregate with their colonies and mate before winding down for winter hibernation.

Meanwhile, the Our State, Our Bat colony is ramping up to “swarm” the General Assembly by showing lawmakers just how badly Hoosiers want the Indiana bat to be our official state mammal! 🏛️✨

To do so, we need a massive push to spread the word and get our petition signatures climbing! Head to the link below to sign, share with your friends and family, and help us make history! 💚

Stay Batty Indiana!

✍️ Sign and share the petition here: https://c.org/JrdDXNvVh8

📸 Photo Credit: Andrew King / USFWS

Did you know insect eating bats provide at least $3.7 BILLION in free agricultural pest control every year in the U.S.? They protect our corn, soybeans, and timber by eating thousands of crop-damaging bugs while we sleep.

Here in Indiana, our native bats are a vital part of that natural defense system. Tiny, endangered, and essential.

That’s why the grassroots campaign, Our State, Our Bat, is working to build statewide support to designate the endangered Myotis sodalis (Indiana bat) as our official state mammal and protect the limestone caves and forests they call home.

Get involved today:
Sign our petition: https://c.org/JrdDXNvVh8
Follow along & support our work: https://www.Facebook.com/battyforin

🎨 Art Credit: Elliana @clover.weevil

Sign, share, and speak up for our Hoosier Heroes! 💚

HOOSIER HEROES 💚🦇

Did you know insect eating bats provide at least $3.7 BILLION in free agricultural pest control every year in the U.S.? They protect our corn, soybeans, and timber by eating thousands of crop-damaging bugs while we sleep.

Here in Indiana, our native bats are a vital part of that natural defense system. Tiny, endangered, and essential.

That’s why the grassroots campaign, Our State, Our Bat, is working to build statewide support to designate the endangered Myotis sodalis (Indiana bat) as our official state mammal and protect the limestone caves and forests they call home.

Get involved today:
Sign our petition: https://c.org/JrdDXNvVh8
Follow along & support our work: https://www.Facebook.com/battyforin

Sign, share, and speak up for our Hoosier Heroes! 💚

Hey everyone!

I wanted to jump on here, and talk about the grassroots initiative I started, Our State, Our Bat. I am working to designate the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) as our official state mammal.

Why the Indiana Bat?

A True Local: The species was first discovered right here in our own backyard (at Wyandotte Cave), making it a unique native that literally carries our state's name. It is also the only animal in the entire world that carries Indiana in its name.

Natural Pest Control: Every single night, these bats act as hard working, natural pest control for our state, consuming thousands of crop and forest damaging insects, in turn, helping local agriculture.

Conservation & Education: The Indiana bat is currently federally endangered. Giving it this official status will shine a much needed spotlight on local biodiversity, education, and the importance of protecting vulnerable native wildlife.

Where We Stand Now!
This campaign has been growing faster than we ever anticipated, and we have some incredible momentum heading into the upcoming legislative season:

Growing Support: Over 2,500 people have already signed our petition!

Leadership Backing: We’ve secured official letters of support from multiple Indiana mayors and major regional conservation groups (like the Little River Wetlands Project).

Legislative Ally: We have a state representative officially lined up and willing to author the bill for us at the Statehouse.

How You Can Help!
We’re looking to build an even stronger grassroots network to show lawmakers that Hoosiers care about our unique wildlife heritage.

Sign our petition: If you haven't already, please consider adding your name to help us cross our next milestone at https://c.org/JrdDXNvVh8

Follow along: Stay up to date with campaign updates, events, and educational posts by following our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/BattyForIN

Thank you so much for reading and supporting local Hoosier conservation! 💚🦇🏛️