Batacular brings bat-themed education to Bend on Oct. 24

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- The Deschutes National Forest and nonprofit Discover Your Northwest will host "Batacular," an educational event featuring bat-focused activities, games and crafts, on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Bend, Ore.

The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and marks the start of Bat Week, an annual international campaign designed to raise awareness for bat conservation.

The event will take place at the Deschutes National Forest headquarters at 63095 Deschutes Market Road in Bend. Admission is free and open to the public, with Halloween costumes encouraged for attendees.

Bat Week is an annual international initiative supported by multiple conservation and government organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bat Conservation International, the Organization for Bat Conservation, The Save Lucy Campaign and Wildlife Acoustics.

Discover Your Northwest is a Seattle-based 501(c)(three) nonprofit organization founded in 1974. The group funds educational programs and public land initiatives across Oregon, Wash., northern California, Idaho and Montana.

Bat Week will run internationally from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31.