Going Batty Over Conservation.

• Position: Brief Article

Who says bats don't have any friends?

Students at Rogers Elementary School in Marquette Heights, Ill., like the furry winged critters so much that earlier this year they donated $1,260 they raised to the Illinois Conservation Foundation for a batfriendly metal gate at Brasher Cave in southeastern Illinois.

The gate will keep intruders out of the cave--a hangout for several bat species including the endangered Indiana bat--and allow the bats to hibernate in peace.

This is not the first time that Rogers students have contributed money through the Illinois Conservation Foundation to help other (nonhuman) Illinois residents. In 1996, the kids donated $1,000 for a river otter reintroduction project, and in 1997 they raised more than $1,000 to help acquire habitat for endangered mud turtles.

Senator Robert Madigan, whose district includes Rogers Elementary School, believes that the fundraising project is a good "hands-on" learning experience for school children.

"The Kids for Conservation program has been very successful in getting children involved with learning about what government services are available and how the state pays for programs."

The foundation creates partnerships among citizens, corporations and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to support a variety of projects-- including bat protection, tree plantings and other activities.

Since the board of directors first met in November 1995, the Illinois Conservation Foundation has raised more than $5.6 million in contributions, The foundation was established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1994 to accept tax-deductible donations from a number of sources throughout the state for specific Department of Natural Resources initiatives.

Representative Joel Brunsvold, who sponsored the bill...