Each year we help our trainees obtain a bat survey licence. We hope that our successful trainees are able to use their new found knowledge and skills at work. Whether it helps career progression or simply helps them better conserve bats, we love to hear how our trainees get on after studying with us.
In this post we catch up with Carys Peotto, Senior Bat Conservation Officer at the Vincent Wildlife Trust. 2025 marks 50 years of conservation for VWT, including groundbreaking work on greater and lesser horseshoe bats. If you’re not familiar with VWT’s work, make sure to check them out.
Why did you choose to attend a structured bat licence training course?
Having accumulated many hours of bat survey experience, I was keen to consolidate my knowledge and address any gaps through structured training. While working full-time in conservation rather than as an ecologist, my bat experience had been built through volunteering with bat groups, short courses, and subcontracting in the summer season outside of work. After researching available training options, Bats Research & Training caught my eye due to the extensive contact time and course content.
What was the highlight of the training?
Although the practical elements were a real highlight, I was very impressed with the depth and quality of the theoretical sessions and supporting materials. At the time, I was also studying an MSc part-time, and the quality of the content was easily on par with this.
How has this training helped your career?
Prior to completing the training, I was working in a different conservation role. The knowledge and experience gained through this course played a key role in helping me secure my current position within the bat team at Vincent Wildlife Trust.
If you are seeking structured, high-quality training that provides both theoretical and practical expertise, I highly recommend the bat licence training with Bats Research & Training. I still refer to some of the course materials today.What bat projects are on the horizon?
My horizon is currently nothing but bat projects! At the Vincent Wildlife Trust, we have several exciting projects lined up this year, including helping to develop a national monitoring programme for Bechstein’s and barbastelle bats, predator proofing a greater horseshoe maternity roost and helping to conserve lesser horseshoe bats in Wales. In my own time I’m continuing research into woodland bats, including developing a monitoring protocol for tree roosts.
Want to learn more about our bat licence training?
This blog post explains everything you need to know.