Dr Kristen Lear’s introduction to bat conservation was at the age of 12, when she built houses for them during a Girl Scouts project. Her fascination propelled Lear into becoming an endangered species intervention specialist at Bat Conservation International, working on a unique project to protect the flying mammals in the United States and Mexico.
Hundreds of plant species depend on bats for pollination. This includes the agave plant, better known for its use to make tequila. In turn, the mammals depend on its fruit and flowers to survive. “We promote these bats and the agave plant as integral parts of local ecosystems, cultures and economies,” Lear says.
Her work is vital to the protection of endangered bat species, but also to future female scientists. As an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, she’s inspiring women STEM pioneers. “The information about our natural world, it shouldn’t just be for scientists,” Lear says. “It needs to be for the generations to come that will be left to look after the natural world.”
Footage by Silvino Eduardo Hernández Cárdenas, Winifred Frick, Dan Taylor, Kristen Morales, Steve Bourne, Rebecca Wright, Harry Hayes, IF/THEN Collection, and Bat Conservation International was used in the creation of this film.
Up Next in Season 1
-
Manuel Bergmann
Anyone can be an environmentalist. But when most people consider the level of work needed, it can be daunting to even try getting involved. Manuel Bergmann is making it easier for anyone to make positive change. He’s a sustainability coach and runs Coaching for Cause, an online platform that help...
-
Kartick Satyanarayan
Kartick Satyanarayan’s love of the natural world began early in life; he spent his youth rescuing animals and exploring the forest near his Bangalore home. In 1995 he founded Wildlife SOS with Geeta Seshamani, dedicating this non-profit organization to protecting India’s environmental and wildlif...
-
Vikash Tatayah
The island of Mauritius may be tiny, but it is filled with rare, endemic species of animal and plant life. Yet the country’s source of pride is also a cause for concern. “We’ve lost a good proportion of our biodiversity and now our work is to save what is left,” Dr Vikash Tatayah says. He’s the c...
