a bit about me
My name is Rafi Saleem, and I'm currently in my junior year at The Wheatley School in Long Island, New York. Two years ago, while visiting my grandparents, my family and I took a tour visiting the bats of Austin, Texas. Going into the tour, I honestly had no interest in bats… I knew them as nothing but flying rodents which are often confused for birds in the night sky. Little did I know I was about to meet the real version of my soon-to-be favorite animal. While cruising on the Colorado River, I remember approaching Congress Ave. bridge when the sun began to set. Immediately, I noticed countless bats pouring in and out of the bridge. Our tour guide informed us that roughly 1.5 million bats call this bridge “home”. Seeing the bats fly through the summer night is an experience I’ll truly never forget. Besides a breathtaking view, I also learned that bats single-handedly keep ecosystems functional. By preying on unwanted pests, bats play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. Seeing the massive colony fly through the sunset sky and learning how pivotal bats are made me realize how naive my initial perception of them was. I, alongside most others, focused on the flaws of a keystone species rather than seeking the deeper truth. I now understand that bats play a crucial role in preserving human health by consuming disease-carrying insects, protecting crops, and attracting tourists from around the world. During the tour, I was sad to learn that more than half the bat species in the US are in severe decline or listed as endangered. This was when I realized I wanted to make a difference, but I didn’t know how…
I didn’t just move on and forget about the issue, I decided to spring into action. After meticulous research, I proposed a project in my school to construct bat boxes, which would not only provide a sanctuary for bats but also offer an educational and hands-on experience for students. These bat boxes, once placed in local parks, serve a dual purpose: they create habitats for bats and also function as an engaging, educational project for students. This initiative is a small step towards a larger goal of environmental conservation and awareness.