Hally Cokenias, co-founder of Arizona Bat Rescue, will discuss the biology, ecology, and rehabilitation of Arizona’s wild bats at “Saving Arizona’s Bats,” the next installment of the Foothills Speaker Series, a joint effort of Desert Foothills Land Trust and the Holland Center. The talk is set for Monday, November 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Holland Center.
Drawing on years of experience rehabilitating Arizona’s bats, Cokenias will offer an introduction to these animals: why they matter to the desert ecosystem, the threats they face, and the work underway to protect them. Attendees will learn the basics of bat biology and behavior, along with the role bats play in the Sonoran Desert, from pollinating native plants to keeping insect populations in check. Cokenias will also speak to the growing challenges facing bat populations in Arizona and what her work at Arizona Bat Rescue looks like on the ground, from responding to calls about injured or displaced bats to caring for them through recovery.
“Bats are among our most important yet misunderstood wildlife neighbors,” said Cokenias. “Once people understand how bats actually behave and what they do for the desert, a lot of the fear around them starts to fall away.”
This event is part of the Foothills Speaker Series, an ongoing free lecture series that connects community members with the natural and cultural heritage of their Sonoran Desert home. The series brings together experts from across the Southwest to share knowledge about desert ecology, conservation, and the natural world.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required due to limited seating. For more information and to register, visit dflt.org/speakerseries.
Event Details:
- What: Foothills Speaker Series: Arizona’s Bats
- When: Monday, November 2, 6:00 p.m.
- Where: Holland Center, 34250 N 60th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85266
- Register: Free and open to the public, registration is required. Visit dflt.org/speakerseries