Dear VHS Members and Visitors,

The Conservation Committee is involved with identifying and implementing various ideas and programs that support conservation of our native wild herpetofauna. Please take a few moments to read through the VHS tenets that describe the focus of the conservation efforts. Innovation and imagination are the hallmarks of such efforts. Several projects are underway but we can still use your help. Please consider joining the committee & conveying your ideas.

Chairman of the VHS Conservation Committee

Report from the Conservation Committee
October 24, 2009
VHS Business Meeting

1. The Conservation Committee current includes the following members: Tim Christensen, David McCarthy and Todd Fredericksen.

2. The Conservation Committee presents the following tasks and statuses:

a. “Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians in Virginia” presentation (originally Task #3).

(1) Presentation is finished.

(2) Committee members are finishing the design for a 4-hour workshop intended for and offered to certified Virginia Master Naturalists. The workshop is intended as a Train the Trainer forum so that VMNs can use the presentation to various audiences to help promote conservation of reptiles and amphibians across Virginia. We are woefully behind in getting this accomplished and have reset the goal of 15 Jan 10 to complete and then offer the workshop in the spring and summer. Targeted audiences/events include (but not limited to) school teachers, Cooperative Extensions, Reptile Weekend @ VLM, VDGIF’ Outdoor Education Program, corporate landowners, homeowner associations, 4-H, Boy/Girl Scouts and neighborhoods. I’d like to give the presentation during Reptile Weekend in 2010.

3. Christopher Wren Association (CWA). There’s an potential opportunity to advance the awareness of reptiles and amphibians to the public through the CWA sponsored by the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. This Association dedicated to continuing learning for individuals purely interested in learning (there are no tests or coursework outside the classes). Courses offered are quite varied and include history, photography and science. CWA was contacted with the proposal of a course along the lines of “Reptiles and Amphibians of Southeast Virginia” having been submitted. Awaiting a response. Conservation would be included as a topic.

4. WildlifeMapping. VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries could use more herp observations in its database. We should continue to promote this program to our membership.

5. Threats to Herpetofauna Poster. The Committee proposed designing charts/posters that illustrate threats to herpetofauna. The suggestion is to have separate materials for anurans or amphibians as one group and one for turtles & snakes or reptiles as another group. This could potentially be made available for sale through the VHS Store, provided to schools, etc. Proceeds could go towards specific conservation-related projects. No further action has taken place since its proposal; however, due to time but will be revisited once the #1 task above is complete.

6. Herp Stamp. Just a reminder, we should revisit this once we attain nonprofit status.

7. Federal Duck Stamp Promotion. This was promoted previously and we have information about it on the website. Recommend we push on this again and possibly have a list of names on the website with the number individuals purchase. Could we possibly have a prize to the individual who purchases the most in each year or every 2 years? Remember, ninety-eight cents of every dollar generated by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes toward purchase or lease of wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge System.-supports efforts towards habitat for herps.
3. The Committee continues to solicit more members.

Point of contact:

Conservation Committee Archives

05-16-08 Conservation Committee Report

07-06-07 Conservation Committee Report

10-20-07 Conservation Committee Report

Report from the Conservation Committee October 24, 2009 VHS Business Meeting

Report from the Conservation Committee
October 24, 2009
VHS Business Meeting