Resolutions Index

Our State, Our Bat: Indianas Official Mammal Petition is a movement to adopt the "Indiana Bat" (myotis sodalis) as Indiana's (first) State Mammal.

Porter County Chapter is providing a letter of support and hopes you will sign the petition too.

They are currently collection petition signatures at this link: https://c.org/JrdDXNvVh8

Jim Sweeney and Annette Hansen, of Porter County Chapter, are developing an IWLA National Resolution that could be up for convention vote in July, 2027.

Support Designation of the Indiana Bat as the State Mammal in Indiana

WHEREAS; Twelve species of bats call Indiana home, and all are important insectivores,

and

WHEREAS; all but one of these species are on the list of state endangered or threatened species, and

WHEREAS; the Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis,) is federally listed as an Endangered Species, and

WHEREAS; the Indiana Bat population is in a steep decline due to habitat loss and White-nose

Syndrome, and

WHEREAS; naming the Indiana Bat as the State Mammal would increase the public awareness and

knowledge of the bat and encourage people to learn more of the benefits of all bats, and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED; The Porter County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America,

assembled this date, September 19, 2026, in Porter, Indiana supports naming the Indiana Bat, (Myotis sodalist,) as the official State Mammal of Indiana.