Merlin’s talks in Tennessee last weekend went really well. He received a standing ovation from a very appreciative audience at the All Taxa Biodiversity Index (ATBI) Conference organized by the nonprofit Discover Life in America. As a special treat, a group of schoolchildren and their parents and teachers came to the talk in Gatlinburg. 
The following evening he gave a talk in beautiful Downtown Knoxville, where the mayor, Madeline Rogero, presented Merlin with a Proclamation recognizing his contributions. He signed copies of his latest National Geographic Article Call of the Bloom for lecture attendees.
We met many fine folks doing wonderful work to preserve the amazing biodiversity of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, America’s most visited national park.
In a few hours we’re going to South Africa for more bat photography and conservation, and we’d love to take you along, so please subscribe to our blog!
Love our content? Support us by sharing it!
It was a long road to Austin, Texas. More than five years after my first introduction to Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation as a teenager, I packed
On warm summer evenings, as the hum of insects fills the air, it’s common to hear someone exclaim, “We could use some bats to handle
Thanks to all the Join the Nightlife: Bats and Agriculture attendees who joined us out in the field this year! Guests got hands-on experience with
Supporter and friend of MTBC, Australian conservation and animal welfare photojournalist Doug Gimesy, had his images recognized in two categories at the recent Siena International
2024 © Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation. All rights reserved.
Madelline Mathis has a degree in environmental studies from Rollins College and a passion for wildlife conservation. She is an outstanding nature photographer who has worked extensively with Merlin and other MTBC staff studying and photographing bats in Mozambique, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Texas. Following college graduation, she was employed as an environmental specialist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She subsequently founded the Florida chapter of the International DarkSky Association and currently serves on the board of DarkSky Texas. She also serves on the board of Houston Wilderness and was appointed to the Austin Water Resource Community Planning Task Force.
Michael Lazari Karapetian has over twenty years of investment management experience. He has a degree in business management, is a certified NBA agent, and gained early experience as a money manager for the Bank of America where he established model portfolios for high-net-worth clients. In 2003 he founded Lazari Capital Management, Inc. and Lazari Asset Management, Inc. He is President and CIO of both and manages over a half a billion in assets. In his personal time he champions philanthropic causes. He serves on the board of Moravian College and has a strong affinity for wildlife, both funding and volunteering on behalf of endangered species.
