For the second year in a row, we’re thrilled to partner with the Omaha RiverFront for another amazing public bat release at Heartland of America Park on the lawn alongside the skate ribbon. Stay tuned for more details!

About the Event

Bats Over Omaha takes place at the Omaha RiverFront in Heartland of America Park alongside the skate ribbon each spring. It's a free event that welcomes the public to enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of rescued native bats flying free after spending the winter in our care.

One of our most beloved patients at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab are native bat species that come into our care over the course of the winter, and each spring we look forward to seeing them spread their wings in the wild again. For the past 17 years, we have welcomed the public to join us and enjoy the spectacle of their flight at this highly anticipated family-friendly event that includes children’s activities, food trucks, gift shopping, educational tables, & the stars of the show - our native Nebraska bats!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Contact Michaela at michaelafavara@nebraskawildliferehab.org.

When Is the Event?

In 2026, Bats Over Omaha took place on Tuesday, April 21. We hope you will join us in 2027!

Each year, Bat Release happens when the weather (temperature, wind, rain, and week's forecast) is just right for the bats, and sometime after the insect populations have experienced a spring resurgence. This is normally in late April or early May, but has happened earlier in the spring. We will let the public know about the date for Bats Over Omaha 48-72 hours in advance by e-mail and on social media. Follow us to be ready next spring!

Where Do The Bats Go When They're Released?

Most of our bats come from eastern Omaha and there is good evidence to support that the bats "go home" when released. This means that when we release the bats there, we're giving most of the bats the shortest trip home. If you live in the neighborhood, don't worry — the bats aren't going to make a new roost in your house if you don't have bats there already. They are going to go back to their home roost as soon as they can.

Why Do We Do It?

We receive hundreds of bats during the winter months when they should be hibernating. Most come from inside buildings where they have set-up winter roosts. All of the bats in Nebraska eat insects. When they are found in buildings in the winter, they must come into rehab, regardless of whether they are injured or not. This is because it is too cold outside for them and there is nothing for them to eat in the winter.

Our rehabilitators treat any injuries and feed the bats until they are of an appropriate hibernating weight. They are then placed in artificial “hibernacula” where the temperature and humidity are closely monitored so they can sleep the rest of the winter away.

In the spring, once there are abundant insects and the free bats are flying, we start looking for a good stretch of weather to let our bats free again. We watch for appropriate temperatures, wind speed, and the threat of rain to decide when we are going to release our bats. Once we set a date, we notify the public that bat release is on!

Bats are extremely critical to our natural enviroment and each individual is important to bat populations in Nebraska. We thank you for caring about bats as much as we do!