To the editor:

My name is Callum Cassee and I am 9 years old and I want to do something for all bats.

Yippee! It’s the year of the bat! But bats in North America really need our help!

In the last few years, White Nose Syndrome (WNS) has killed more than 5.7 million North American bats.

WNS is a disease that causes bats to wake up in the middle of winter when they’re hibernating and go in search of food. Because it’s the middle of winter, bats either freeze or starve to death, because there’s no food around.

Scientists believe that 1 million bats eat 700 tons of bugs per year. Isn’t that amazing?

Insect-eating bats protect our crops from bugs and save us from having to use chemicals in our gardens. Imagine what it would be like with all those extra bugs flying around with no bats to eat them!

On April 10 and 14 in Portland, Ore., Dr. Chris Hein, conservation scientist for Bats Conservation International, will be giving two talks about the biology, behavior and benefits of bats. And for more information on ways to help bats go to www.batcon.org. Remember this is your chance to donate love to North American bats.

CALLUM CASSEE

Coupeville