Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida proudly announces that Krysta Fowler, a Girl Scout of 13 years, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award for her innovative and educational project titled “BAT-vocate: Appreciation and Awareness for Bats.” Krysta, a student at North Port High School, dedicated her efforts to raising awareness about the importance of bats in the ecosystem and dispelling common myths that portray them negatively.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, recognizing girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership and create sustainable, impactful community projects. Krysta’s project addressed the misconceptions surrounding bats and aimed to educate her community about their critical role as pollinators and insect controllers.

In addition to earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, Krysta also achieved the Bronze and Silver Awards, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to Girl Scouts and her dedication to leadership and community service.

Her Gold Award project included building and installing 26 bat houses throughout North Port and at Girl Scout campgrounds, Camp Honi Hanta and Camp Caloosa. Additionally, she hosted educational events at both camps, where attendees learned about bat conservation, met ambassador bats from Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC), and participated in hands-on STEM activities. Krysta also developed a council patch program for Girl Scouts, encouraging girls to learn more about bats and their environmental significance.

Krysta explained her inspiration for pursuing the Gold Award, saying, “What inspired me to even strive for my Gold Award in the first place was attending my very first Young Women of Distinction Ceremony as a second-year Daisy. I learned what a Gold Award was at this event and wanted to earn it, to be like the girls who I saw on the stage. After seeing a bat at my school and hearing it got stepped on, I began my project, figuring out what to do to give bats the appreciation and awareness they deserve.”

Krysta recognized that bats are often misunderstood and undervalued due to widespread misconceptions and negative stereotypes. These myths, such as bats being diseased or a nuisance, were perpetuated by popular culture and a lack of knowledge about their crucial role in the ecosystem. In her reflection, Krysta explained that even her own family members shared these misconceptions, which inspired her to take action and educate others. She wanted to prevent these false beliefs from spreading to future generations.

Krysta highlighted that bats play a vital role as pollinators, insect controllers, and contributors to agriculture, helping to reduce the need for pesticides. She aimed to shed light on their environmental benefits and to dispel the myths surrounding them. Her commitment to education and awareness extended beyond her local community as she created a website that provides bat-related resources and features a custom patch program that Girl Scouts can earn by completing specific activities.

Reflecting on her leadership growth, Krysta shared, “I learned that diving into challenges headfirst, even when it feels uncomfortable, is key to success. The outreach and momentum my project gained showed me the power of stepping up and communicating my passion.” Her determination and vision created a sustainable impact in her community, and her project will continue to raise awareness about the importance of bats for years to come.

When asked what advice she would give to others considering pursuing the Gold Award, Krysta encouraged perseverance: “Once you find something you’re passionate to make your project on, don’t stop and don’t procrastinate anything. Even if the project gets hard—because it will, believe me—don’t ever think about quitting. Instead, think about those who your project is aiming to benefit and about how much you’ll be helping them.”

Krysta will receive formal recognition for her Gold Award at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony in May.