Empowering BatPunk: Supporting Bat Conservation Through Art and Science

My name is Silvia Chaves Ramírez and I am a young Costa Rican illustrator and fledging scientist. I studied tropical biology and have a deep passion for understanding the behavior and ecology of bats. Throughout my academic journey, I have dedicated myself to communicating what I have learned in various ways, and art has been my greatest motivation to achieve this goal. In 2018, I created a scientific outreach and education project called BatPunk (@ortbatpunk). It is a self-managed, non-profit initiative aimed at promoting conservation and empathy towards stigmatized species through art and science.

With BatPunk, my primary focus has been on sharing intriguing, cultural, ecological, and scientific aspects of bats. Some of the activities I have undertaken include performances, talks, and workshops for diverse audiences. Additionally, I have designed and illustrated educational material, such as coloring fanzines, videos, and infographics, all available for free. Most of these endeavors have been carried out on a voluntary basis and have been self-funded through the sales of stickers and accessories I personally created and designed. Also, I have collaborated with my artistic work and experience as a biologist with different related organizations, such as Murci-Semana Mexico (2023, 2023). On the other hand, I have contributed with illustrations for different scientific publications.

Recently, I successfully completed my master's degree and fulfilled my dream of publishing my research findings. Now, I aspire to continue my scientific journey and continue being a voice for bat conservation through BatPunk. Unfortunately, I currently find myself without employment, and both my financial stability and that of my educational project depend on my skills as an illustrator. However, I lack the necessary tools, such as a tablet, laptops, pencil and illustration software, to follow this path.

Therefore, I am humbly requesting your generous support through this Go Get Funding campaign. Your contributions will empower BatPunk and allow me to sustain my dedication to bat conservation through art and science. With your help, I can continue communicating the importance of these incredible creatures and promoting their conservation, ultimately making a positive impact on our environment.

Thank you for joining me in this mission to create a world where bats are appreciated and their crucial role in our ecosystem is recognized. Your generosity and support will be truly appreciated and will make a significant difference in the future of BatPunk and bat conservation as a whole.

Ama a los murciélagos combate la desinformación! #AnimalesenResistencia

Field photography credits: Santiago Martínez Artavia