In Hohenfels, Germany, a Bechstein's bat prepares to defend its artificial roost.

Artificial roosts designed for specific species of forest bats are made of plasticized concrete for durability and temperature control.

Other endangered species on Hohenfels include the yellow-bellied toad (above) and the white helleborine (below).

Photos by Neal Snyder

f the 21 species of bat in Bavaria, 19 can be found on the ranges of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Four of these are critically endangered. One measure benefitting both the bats and the Soldier is a ruined church rebuilt not for cultural value alone, but as a rookery. The German government credits the Hohenfels garrison for the creation of bat habitat, said Albert Boehm, natural resources manager for the installation. The benefits of new habitat count toward the overall environmental effect of other construction on the installation. In this case, Hohenfels intends to use the credit when it constructs a mock town for urban combat training, according to Boehm. More than 800 rare and endangered species (as listed by Germany and the European Union) make their homes on the installation.