Building boxes to save, protect bats

LAKEVILLE —Joe Brien of Lost Art Workshops had a full house for his bat-box building class Saturday, March 10, at the Grove. Brien said bats are suffering from a mysterious ailment called white-nose syndrome and the national population is down significantly.Providing safe habitat for bats is more important than ever, he said. The group of children and parents watched intently as he demonstrated the techniques necessary to building the bat boxes — small enclosed units that can be attached to the side of a building. Then the tapping of hammers resumed, creating a joyful noise.