Just two weeks from now, Cincinnati’s bat enthusiasts and curious families will gather at Maple Ridge Lodge to celebrate creatures that are often more feared than appreciated. The 2025 Ohio Bat Fest—coming to Mt. Airy Forest on October 25—promises to change minds about these misunderstood mammals, one interactive exhibit at a time.
University of Cincinnati researchers Joe Johnson and postdoctoral fellow Missy Meierhofer are leading the charge, bringing their expertise in information technology and wildlife conservation to create a free public event that’s equal parts education and entertainment. The festival, running from noon to 5 p.m., marks a significant milestone: after years of being hosted by Ohio State’s Carter Lab in Columbus, according to Carter Lab, the event has officially relocated to Cincinnati, fulfilling organizers’ 2024 hopes to bring the celebration south.
Where Technology Meets Conservation
Johnson, a faculty member in UC’s School of Information Technology, isn’t your typical wildlife researcher—he’s pioneered the integration of cutting-edge tech with field ecology. His work spans multiple federal and state-funded projects, from monitoring Virginia big-eared bats (one of North America’s rarest species) to developing cloud-based modeling systems for bat and bridge conservation, according to UC Research Directory.
“I want to reach as many people as possible, to get them excited not just about bats, but about science,” Johnson told UC News. “This festival is a chance to see how technology and conservation come together.” His team has developed systems that allow communities to safely observe bats in real time, using everything from drone-mounted tracking equipment to sophisticated telemetry arrays.
Hands-On Science for All Ages
The festival’s interactive approach sets it apart from typical educational events. Children can crawl through a kid-sized cave to discover hidden bat figures, craft flapping paper bats, and color their own species, reported UC News. Meanwhile, adults can test their tracking skills with a telemetry scavenger hunt using the same equipment researchers deploy in the field—though Meierhofer was quick to clarify that they’ll be tracking a signal-emitting device, not actual bats…