Eight species of bats were documented on the Townsend Ranger District during five nights of mist-netting during the summer of 1992. Two of these species, the Townsend's Big-eared bat, and the Fringed myotis are on the Montana Natural Heritage Program's sensitive species list. The Townsend's big-eared bat is also listed by the U.S. Forest Service Northern Region as a sensitive species. Females of the Townsend's big-eared bat, the Small-footed myotis, and the Long-legged myotis suggest that maternity colonies probably exist in the vicinity. The species diversity and the presence of rare and sensitive bat species indicates that portions of the Townsend Ranger District of the Helena National Forest are excellent habitat for bats. Management activities to maintain this habitat will need to protect and preserve caves, ensure that old mine adits are un-occupied in summer, autumn, and winter before blocking entrances, maintain water sources, and maintain a diversity of habitats that include, where applicable, mature hardwoods, older stands of Douglas fir, and healthy riparian areas.