Live bat programs by the directors

Special live bat programs by the director of the OBC

Live Bat Encounter

Learn about bats from around the world up-close and personal! Rob Mies, TV personality, conservation biologist, bat expert, author, and Director of the Organization for Bat Conservation, has appeared on many television shows including The Tonight Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Martha Stewart. Rob is the co-author of the book, “Stokes Beginners Guide to Bats.” His research includes work with the endangered Indiana Bat of the United States, endangered Rodrigues Fruit Bat in the Indian Ocean, and the threatened Spectacled Flying Fox in Australia.

Rob speaks about the benefits of bats, the need for conservation, and what can be done to help these unique mammals and invites everyone to step into the mysterious world of bats and explore their benefits, habitats, and nocturnal strategies. Program attendees encounter a Big Brown bat from North America and hear its high-pitched echolocation with a “bat detector,” meet fruit bats from Africa and Asia, and finally come face-to-face with the largest bat in the world, the Gigantic Flying Fox Bat from Malaysia. This beautiful bat has nearly a 6-foot wingspan!

The on-going message of the presentation is about the unique wildlife biodiversity around the world and the importance of protecting it from extinction. Bats are shown in a way to interest, excite, and motivate the audience to learn more, take action in their backyard, and work globally to safeguard the earth’s natural world.

Rob is also an advisor and member of the American Zoological Association Bat Taxon Advisory Group, Northeast Bat Working Group, and the Michigan Bat Working Group.

Pricing for Directors Appearances

Schools/libraries: $750 for the first program and $500 for each additional program presented on the same day.

Museums/Zoos/Special Events: $1,000 for the first program and $750 for each additional program presented on the same day.

Call (248) 645-3232 ext. 9 or email to book your program or for any additional questions.

Rob presenting at Devil's Den State Park

Kim receives the Michigan United Conservation
Club's Conservationist of the Year Award

Kim and Rob on The Today Show

Bio on Director Kim Williams

Kim Williams is the Executive Director at the Organization for Bat Conservation. She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Zoology from Michigan State University and a Master's Degree in Biology from Eastern Michigan University. Her thesis focused on roosting preferences of the federally endangered Indiana bat. You can find her publications on the Indiana bat in many journals throughout the United States. Kim is working on her Ph.D. in educational psychology with an emphasis on Nature Deficit Disorder.

Kim has been on such nationally syndicated shows as “Wild Things”, Nickelodeon's “Figure It Out”, Germany's "Nature Adventure" and National Geographic's “Explorer”. Kim is also a frequent guest on the "Today Show." Most recently she was featured on the special features section of the new "Stellaluna" DVD!

Kim is the author of various books, including the first field guide to bats called "Stokes Beginners Guide to Bat Identification," along with “Understanding Bats”, “Bat Basics”, “Insect Eating Bats”, “Fruit Bats”, “Vampire Bats”, “Nectar-feeding Bats”, “Bats and Conservation”, and “Michigan Bats and Their Habitats”, and articles in various scientific journals. Kim has traveled throughout the United States and the world helping bats. One project Kim and OBC have worked on is saving the Spectacled Flying Foxes in Australia (see a movie on this rescue). These bats have been affected with a tick paralysis and during the months of October through January become very ill (Spectacled Flying Fox rescue).

Kim is also a frequent guest on the Today Show and has consulted for National Geographic, Nickelodeon, and The Discovery Channel.

Kim is an advisor and member of the American Zoological Association Bat Taxon Advisory Group, Northeast Bat Working Group, and the Michigan Bat Working Group.

To contact Kim you can email her at obcbats@aol.com, attention Kim Williams, or call at 248-645-3232 ext. 9 (work) or 517-881-0381 (cell).

Quotes about our programs

“Rob Mies of the Organization for Bat Conservation captivated the audience for the Illinois State Museum's 2007 science program for middle school students and their families. He thrilled participants with clips from television appearances and four species of live bats. More importantly, his presentation stimulated interest in bat behavior and ecology and imparted a strong conservation message for this diverse audience of over 200 children and adults. We are already planning to invite him back.”

Bonnie Styles, Ph.D., Museum Director
Illinois State Museum (Springfield, IL)

“ I knew Rob’s presentation would be a hit for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, as soon as I met Kamilah. After all, if I could walk away from one of the largest bats in the world thinking it was “cute” than anyone could! Bat Appreciation Day” and “VIP Bat Encounter” generated an overwhelming response for the Museum, including more than 1,500 visitors for four presentations, and many generous membership upgrades for our VIP event. Our members, donors and visitors are still buzzing about “the Bat Guy,” and our Museum Director has officially agreed that indeed, bats are as cute as kittens.”

Danielle Lacharite, Director of Membership
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (LA, CA)

“The Malayan bat was a huge hit and I heard gasps from the audience when he was brought around to meet people and have his picture taken. I think my personal favorite was the fuzzy endangered Golden Bat; just beautiful and quite a personality as well! Your presentation is a nice mix of a professional show person and a fun educational experience that I know the staff and our visitors to Turtle Bay will remember for years to come.”

Joanne Gimble-Boardman, Animal Specialist/Manager
Turtle Bay Exploration Park (Redding, CA)

“The program sold out! I couldn't hold one more person and had to turn people away! Rob is an absolutely wonderful presenter and he makes bats fun! His fruit bats and the Malayan Flying Fox were a huge hit. I WILL have them back again very soon!
After this program I had people come up to me and THANK ME for having Rob here to do his program - that is so rare! I absolutely recommend any program by the Organization for Bat Conservation.”

Debbie Greene, Superintendent
Natural Resources for the Joliet Park District
Pilcher Park Nature Center (Joliet, IL)

“I am still hearing rave reviews – months after your appearance – from both kids and their parents. We are sure many of the folks in attendance, young and old alike, will remember this family day for a long time to come. You were an absolute hit in these parts! It is so important to educate the public on the importance of bats in the environment, the benefits of having bats and to encourage conservation of both the bats and their habitats. Your program was just the right mix of information, education, and the “Wow!” factor.”

Robin Garr, Director of Education
Bruce Museum of Arts and Science (Greenwich, CT)

“Your program was excellent being informative in an entertaining way.”

Bill Bradshaw, Director
Roper Mountain Science Center (Greenville, SC)

“This fascinating program is both educational and entertaining and helps to spread the message that bats are good for the environment.”

Rita London, Public Programs Manager
Children’s Museum of Manhattan (NYC, NY)

“What a show, and what and educator! Adults and children ages 2-13 thought Rob Mies and his bats were amazing. We’ve booked him for the same bat time, same bat channel next year!”

Jacqui Leader, Director of Programming
Children’s Museum of the East End (Bridgehampton, NY)

“Two enthusiastic thumbs up for Rob Mies and his live bat presentation! We had huge numbers turn out to see the bats. So many in fact, we had to add an extra program. Not only was Rob easy to work with and the community response so overwhelming, Rob’s presentation was top notch. Extremely professional and knowledgeable, Rob handled the crowds and questions with great composure. We are bringing him back next year for an extended experience.”

Stephanie McKenzie, Associate Director of Education and Programs
Children’s Museum of Wilmington (Wilmington, NC)

“I was impressed by the content, the delivery, and the ability of the presenter to adapt to the age of the audience. The science was accurate and understandable, and the experience as a whole a model of the best kind of educational entertainment.”

Tessa Bridal, Director of Interpretation
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)

Selected books written by Kim Williams and Rob Mies