By Grace Braswell
Daily News

On Friday, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper will host a “Bat Search by Boat” event that will take place on the West Point Lake Floating Classroom at Pyne Road Park. 

Lagrange College professor Mark Yates will be the host for the evening, teaching participants about bats native to the West Point Lake region. Yates will also be providing acoustic detection equipment as well as spotlights to help find and learn about the bats over the waters of West Point Lake. 

“Our outing on the floating classroom is open to the public,” said Henry Jacobs, Middle Chattahoochee Outreach Director with the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. “We hope to have lots of student participation to teach about the bats on West Point Lake.” 

Jacobs said that this is the fifth year the floating classroom has occurred, and the plan is to continue teaching LaGrange about aquatic environments. The floating classroom has reportedly hosted around 15,000 people so far, including students from local schools. 

“The goal is to introduce students to West Point Lake,” said Jacobs. “We want to provide the community with an educational experience and a place for field trips.” 

Programs like the “Bat Search by Boat” help Chattahoochee RiverKeeper to protect waterways and keep the river healthy. Proceeds from this event will also go toward scholarship programs. 

The event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. The cost is $20, or $10 for anyone under 21. Life jackets will be provided and must be worn while on the boat.