Rothenfels: Church receives award for bat protection!

Rothenfels: Church receives award for bat protection!

The Rothenfels Church received a special award in a solemn ceremony on June 16, 2025. The Ministry of the Environment plaque was installed and recognizes the parish's outstanding commitment to **bat protection**. A total of 36 buildings in the Main-Spessart district now carry this award, which honors the species-appropriate protection and promotion of bat roosts. District Administrator Sabine Sitter praised those responsible in the parish for their commitment and emphasized how important close cooperation is in renovation work in order to take species protection concerns into account.

Most of the summer roosts of the greater mouse-eared bat in Bavaria are located in the Main-Spessart district, known for its species-rich nature with mixed deciduous forests. The Rothenfels Church, which has housed a nursery for this special bat species since 1993, was also highlighted as a typical example of the successful connection between monument protection and nature conservation. These bats, which raise their young where they were born, are of great importance to the local ecosystem. Last year around 230 bats were counted in the church.

A place full of life

Bats, particularly the greater mouse-eared bat, are attracting the attention of many conservationists, as nearly 80 percent of the churches surveyed in the county have bat roosts. A comprehensive study of 104 churches demonstrated exactly that. Thanks to the efforts of two volunteer bat officers who monitor the population and provide advice, these animals can be protected and promoted around the Rothenfels Church. A film team from the Diocese of Würzburg was also on site to document the commitment and is planning further recordings in August.

The church is not only a historical site, but also a symbol of the harmonious coexistence of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural heritage. This philosophy is also reflected in other regions, such as Brandenburg. There, the Protestant Laurentius Church in Rheinsberg was recognized as particularly bat-friendly because it has housed a nursery roost for the greater mouse-eared bat for around 25 years. The greater mouse-eared bat is also becoming increasingly valued in Germany; The organization “BatLife Europe” has named it bat of the year for 2024 and 2025.

Protection through collaboration

Another important aspect of bat protection is cooperation with volunteer conservationists who are active in different regions. In places like Lißberg, population monitoring is carried out meticulously to ensure that these impressive animals are protected. The development of the bat population is closely monitored through innovative monitoring systems and regular inventory controls.

The Rothenfels Church and other small, strongly committed communities are prime examples of how nature conservation and monument protection can go hand in hand. In this way they show that every contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference in the protection of our native animal species. The “Bats Welcome” plaque, which will soon be attached to the parish church in Rothenfels, is a strong symbol of this initiative, which can also serve as a model for other communities.

For bats, but also for society, it is important that we find ways to meet the simultaneously growing demands on urban spaces and the needs of nature. Thousands of bats find a home in our region - and we can be proud of that. Let's support this path together!