SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – This summer, youth across southern Illinois explored the fascinating world of bats through the program, Discovering Bats: Nighttime Superheroes. Through interactive storytelling, hands-on activities, and educational games, participants learned about one of nature's most important and misunderstood creatures.
Created and presented by Illinois Extension Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners Beckie Wisdom and Patti Powell, the program reached approximately 70 youth across seven locations throughout southern Illinois. Stops included our local public libraries in Metropolis, Dongola, Jonesboro, Crab Orchard, and Anna, as well as the Reaching for Kids Program at Metropolis Elementary School and the Cache River Wetlands Center.
Designed for youth ages 6 to 12, this program encouraged participants to explore the nighttime world of bats and see how they help maintain a healthy ecosystem through a fun and engaging learning experience. Youth listened to a bat-themed story, created their own bat masks, and tested their bat skills through interactive activities.
"This was a great opportunity to share our knowledge with the children about bats. Thanks to the librarians and adults for allowing us this opportunity,” stated Beckie and Patti.
AJMPU Illinois Extension would like to extend a special thank you to Wisdom and Powell for their dedication to environmental education and the countless hours they volunteered to make this program a reality for youth and families across southern Illinois. Their passion for sharing knowledge about the natural world helped create meaningful learning experiences for participants at each location.
AJMPU Illinois Extension would also like to thank the local libraries, community partners, and families who helped support the program. Their partnerships helped create welcoming spaces where youth could learn, ask questions, and discover the importance of protecting wildlife and natural resources.
Programs like this one demonstrate the impact of Extension outreach and volunteer partnerships across southern Illinois. Through free and accessible educational opportunities, Illinois Extension continues to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards while fostering a lifelong love of learning and nature.
For more information on natural resources education, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/ajmpu or contact your local Extension office.
WRITER: Jordi Oliver, 2026 Summer Help serving Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski and Union counties, jordio2@illinois.edu.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.