The Western Bat Working Group arose from an effort in 1994-96 to develop a range-wide conservation strategy for Townsend’s big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii, as part of a proactive conservation approach to preclude formal listing of the species as threatened or endangered. Since that time, our members have been engaged in various conservation efforts including the development and revision of bat species accounts, the development of bat survey matrix, and the writing and implementation of an Action Plan for the Board of Officers.