Conservation research for bats is still in its very early stages due to historical, financial and logistical reasons. In recent years, various organisations have popped up advocating for the protection of bats. Some of the more prominent ones include Bat Conservation International (BCI), Bat Conservation Trust and the Organisation of Bat Conservation. The main organisation that focuses on bat conservation in the Southeast Asia region is the Southeast Asian Bat Conservation Research Unit (SEABCRU).

The common method that all these organisations employ is environmental education. Since the lack of awareness about bats and their plights are arguably one of the most significant factors in the lack of conservation efforts towards them, these organisations aim to disseminate information that will help educate the public. They seek to dispel the negative stereotypes surrounding bats and provide them with information about their ecological roles through outreach programs. Through these programs, they hope to overcome the personal barrier to action caused by the lack of information. The outreach programs also help increase self-efficacy as they provide people with convenient avenues through which action can be taken to aid in the conservation efforts — be it through monetary donations, raising social awareness or taking physical action by building bat houses, among others.

Admittedly, education is not a panacea and has to be complemented with other approaches. On top of educating the public, these organisations also engage in research in order to help fill in the many gaps in our current knowledge of bats. It is only with greater knowledge of population trends and bat behaviour that effective measures can be taken to help protect the bat population.

However, it is important to also note that single-species biodiversity programs like bat conservation has to be managed with extreme care. With such a specific agenda, such programs might not be received well by local authorities and communities. This is especially so in the case of bats, whose reputations far precedes them. The general fear and hostility towards bats in the Southeast Asia region can be a huge roadblock when it comes to conservation efforts.