GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Tucked along a quiet stretch of NW 192nd Ave., Lubee Bat Conservancy has spent more than three decades working to protect one of the world’s most misunderstood animals.
Founded July 31, 1989, Lubee Bat Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bat conservation through education, research and public awareness. The Gainesville-based facility is home to more than 200 animals representing 12 species, most of which are bats that can no longer survive in the wild.
Lubee, located at 1309 NW 192nd Ave., does not operate with traditional open hours and is only accessible through scheduled guided tours to allow for a stress-free environment for its residents. Tours are typically offered at 11 a.m and 1:30 p.m., and guests must reserve in advance to enter the property.
The conservancy is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a distinction held by only a limited number of wildlife facilities worldwide. Lubee received AZA accreditation for the fifth consecutive time on March 26, 2020, signaling continued compliance with rigorous animal care, safety and conservation standards.
While Lubee is not a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, it provides lifelong care to animals that cannot be released back into their natural environment. In addition to bats, the conservancy houses several “honorary bat” species that serve educational purposes, including an African spurred tortoise named Ziggy, a corn snake named Spaghetti and Solomon Islands skinks Olive and Ursula.
Bat species housed at Lubee include evening bats, Mexican free-tailed bats, and several species of fruit bats from around the world. Among them are Malayan flying foxes, Rodrigues fruit bats, variable flying foxes and golden-mantled flying foxes.
The grounds feature nine educational stations, including pollinator gardens, native bat houses and the “Bat Barn,” an interactive space filled with bat facts and activities for guests. Lubee also offers community outreach programs, school tours, virtual classroom visits and VIP private tours.
Visitors can also observe bats remotely through live camera feeds hosted on explore.org, allowing the public to view bat behavior without visiting the facility.
Lubee regularly hosts special events designed to engage the community while supporting conservation efforts. Annual and recurring events include Bats & Brews, Yoga & Bats, the Guano Run 5K Fun Run, Bat Appreciation Day Celebration, Baturdays of Summer and the Florida Bat Festival. Upcoming events include Bats & Brews on Jan. 24 from noon to 4 p.m., My Valentine Bat Tours on select days from Feb. 1 to Feb. 27 and the Florida Bat Festival scheduled for Oct. 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art also plays a role at the conservancy. Guests can view murals created by artists such as Samm Wehman, Arianna Uberti and Erin Boyle throughout the property and purchase bat-created artwork from the gift shop at the conclusion of a tour. Lubee’s gift shop offers additional merchandise, including shirts, plushies, stickers and keychains. Donations are accepted through the conservancy’s website, where supporters can participate in symbolic adoptions, contribute to wish lists for the animals or donate through campaigns such as “Support a Snoot.”
The conservancy partners with a wide range of organizations and businesses, including the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Museum of Natural History, Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, local breweries and conservation groups. Volunteer and internship opportunities are also available.
More information about tours, events and donations can be found at lubee.org or by contacting the conservancy at 352-485-1250 or info@lubee.org.