Bend, Oregon – Ryan GosWING, a pallid bat native to the high desert, was crowned the winner of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) annual Bat Beauty Contest, marking the fourth straight victory for an Oregon contestant. The national competition, held during Bat Week each October, showcases the ecological importance of bats and celebrates their contributions to healthy ecosystems.
Why bats matter to Oregon’s farms and forests
Bats are essential pollinators and seed dispersers, but their most visible benefit to Oregon’s agricultural community is pest control. The agency estimates that bats provide roughly $3 billion in annual pest‑control services to American farms, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and supporting sustainable farming practices.
About the winning contestant
Ryan GosWING is a pallid bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), a species known for its large ears that help it locate insects moving on the ground. The bat’s sleek, pale‑gray fur and striking wing pattern impressed the national judges, who evaluate contestants on health, appearance, and the ability to represent bat conservation messages.
BLM’s role and regional support
Sarah P. Bennett, spokesperson for the BLM, praised the community’s enthusiasm. “Thank you to everyone across Oregon and Washington who came out to support GosWING,” Bennett said. “With four wins in a row, we can confidently call this a dynasty – or a ‘cauldron’ in the case of bats.” The agency’s partnerships provide roosting and foraging habitats on public lands, including caves, abandoned mines, forests, grasslands, and deserts.
The BLM manages wildlife on public lands using a multiple‑use and sustained‑yield approach established under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. This framework balances conservation with recreation, resource use, and other public‑land values, ensuring that bat populations remain healthy while supporting the broader community.
What the win means for local conservation
The repeated success of Oregon bats underscores the state’s commitment to wildlife stewardship. Local schools and community groups have used the contest to teach children about the importance of bats, encouraging respect for these often‑misunderstood mammals. By highlighting the economic value of natural pest control, the BLM hopes to foster greater public support for habitat protection.
Residents are invited to attend upcoming Bat Week events throughout the region, where experts will discuss bat biology, conservation strategies, and ways families can help create bat‑friendly spaces in their own backyards.
Looking ahead
As the BLM prepares for next year’s contest, officials plan to expand outreach to additional counties and partner with more local organizations. The goal is to continue showcasing the vital services bats provide and to inspire the next generation of conservation advocates across the Pacific Northwest.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
