EDMOND, Okla. – Many find bats frightening due to their appearance, movement and nocturnality. Mvskoke citizen and Boy Scout Carney Dillsaver is not afraid of bats, he wants to conserve them. For Dillsaver’s Eagle Scout project, he constructed two bat boxes and installed them at Fink and Hafer park with fellow members of his troop on Feb. 9. For the Dillsaver family, conservation of species like bats have always been an important topic.
“When I was younger my dad would explain it (bat conservation) all the time and I thought it was interesting,” Carney Dillsaver said. “It kind of dropped off my view for a while, until it was recently brought back up and I got more involved with it.”
Bat boxes are artificial roosts that provide shelter and respite for bats in areas with few roosting areas. They are typically constructed out of wood and can be built into walls, trees or building facades. Carney Dillsaver’s bat boxes were attached on top of a pole. The idea for the project came from Carney Dillsaver’s father, Will Dillsaver, a biologist who works with bats. Will Dillsaver has made frequent trips to Alabama, a state known for its bat population due to its caves and forests.
The project has come a long way since it was greenlit in May 2024. Construction on the boxes started in August 2024, and took a couple of weeks total to complete. Its design included cutting wood, and branding by wood burning. Although Carney Dillsaver had done wood burning in the past, he had never done anything quite on this scale before. The multilayered box stands at about three and a half feet. The Dillsavers reported that they found the experience enjoyable, and plan on building more in the future for their own backyard.
“More bats will mean less bugs, less bugs will mean healthier flora and more people in the parks. More people in the parks will mean a more closely-tied community.” Carney Dillsaver said.
Each box has two to three chambers prospective visitors can crawl into. The boxes do not contain anything to attract the bats, like food. However they do provide a warm, enclosed space where they can congregate. According to Carney Dillsaver, boxes’ locations were chosen based on habitat areas that provide adequate food and water. Bat conservation is important because many species find themselves on the endangered species list and risk becoming extinct. This is due to climate change, White-Nose Syndrome and declining insect populations.
Like Father Like Son
Carney Dillsaver has been a Boy Scout since the sixth grade, before that a Cub Scout since first grade. Will Dillsaver is a former Eagle Scout and currently serves as an assistant Scoutmaster in his son’s troop. Will Dillsaver’s Eagle Scout project involved setting up 12 wood duck boxes in Sequoia National Park when he was 15 years old. Today both father and son enjoy spending time together on camping trips.
“I’m pretty proud of him. I want him to get it before he turns 16 so he can stay on par with me.” Will Dillsaver said.
Fond memories Carney Dillsaver reminisced about included hanging out with his friends, spending time in the outdoors and simple things like catching a sunset. He even got to visit Philmont Scout Ranch, the largest scout camp in the country located in New Mexico. Carney Dillsaver truly believes in the Boy Scout’s mission and passes it down to others.
“I like teaching younger scouts what it all really means, the BSA (Boy Scouts of America), what we should be,” Carney Dillsaver said. “My favorite memories are when we drop our bags, go on a short hike and find a stunning view.
Looking at the future Carney Dillsaver remarked that he would like to enroll in a military college after high school. He has his sights set on becoming a field doctor or doing something related to search and rescue. Eagle Scouts who graduate basic training from the Air Force, Army, Navy or the USMC advance to E-2. The rank traditionally granted to new basic training graduates is E-1.
The Dillsavers are in talks to do an acoustic survey on the areas where the bat boxes are installed. Acoustic surveys use sound waves to measure species activity.
According to the Dillsavers, Carney still has to turn in all of his Eagle Scout project paperwork before he officially achieves the coveted rank. It is their goal to have it all submitted before Carney’s 16th birthday in May.
He should make more and sell them to the community. Money made should be donated (less the cost of making them) to entities that help feed the homeless or food banks such as Project 66.