Heard in the News

2013 Designated YEAR OF THE SNAKE

Conservation groups in partnership with PARC have designated 2013 as the Year of the Snake

 

PARC 2011 Annual Report Now Available

Download the report now to read about PARC's accomplishments and progress in 2011

2012 Designated YEAR OF THE LIZARD

Conservation groups in partnership with PARC have designated 2012 as the Year of the Lizard

Alison Haskell Award

The Alison Haskell Award for Excellence in Herpetofaunal Conservation is presented annually by Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) in memory of Alison Haskell (1956 – 2006). The award recognizes an individual in North America who exemplifies extraordinary commitment to herpetofaunal conservation, as did Alison.

• 2013 Recipient: Charles Painter

• 2012 Recipient: Dr. Deanna (Dede) H. Olson

• 2011 Recipient: Alvin R. Breisch

 

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About ALISON HASKELL, 1956-2006

Alison was born on December 26, 1956 in Berkeley, California, and grew up on the coast of Massachusetts. She received a B.S. and M.S. in wildlife biology from the University of New Hampshire and University of Massachusetts, respectively. Her Master’s thesis focused on population ecology of the Plymouth red-bellied turtle. She studied at Tufts University Veterinary School where she also worked as the chief veterinary technician at the Wildlife Clinic for 5 years, and become noted for her exceptional ability in handling raptors.

In 1993 she joined the Fish and Wildlife Service as a Wildlife Research Specialist in the Division of Federal Aid. Alison's unique and extraordinary blend of skills, ranging from wildlife health to population viability analyses, suited her extremely well in administering a wide variety of grant programs, including Section 6 Endangered Species, Wildlife Restoration, Partnerships For Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program, and State Wildlife Grants.

Alison's passion for wildlife may have been exceeded only by her compassion for her fellow humans, and she channeled that professionally by becoming adept at conflict resolution and facilitation. She assisted many Service and State fish and wildlife agency programs as a trainer and facilitator.

She left Federal Aid in 2003 to become the first ever Federal Coordinator for Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) having previously served on the start-up committee for Northeast PARC and as co-chair of NEPARC from 2000 to 2002. Unfortunately, her tenure with PARC was tragically shortened due to a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. In 2006, after a valiant battle, Alison succumbed to the disease. Members of PARC aim to keep her memory alive through the annual Alison Haskell Excellence in Herpetofaunal Conservation Award.

 

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Nominations for the Alison Haskell Award (Award) are sought on an annual basis and shall be based on one or more of the following criteria:

1. Any individual who has displayed exemplary commitment to building or strengthening partnerships: (1) with stakeholders outside the individual’s agency or organization, or (2) with nontraditional stakeholders (i.e., stakeholders with whom an individual or agency did not previously interact), or (3) that promoted efficiencies in herpetofaunal conservation through partnerships.
2. Any person who has displayed distinguished career-long contributions to partnerships and herpetofaunal conservation.
3. Special consideration will be given to any person who has exhibited tenacious effort, leadership and professionalism in a manner that is inspiring to their peers, and who has been overlooked by other means of acclaim.

Award Notification and Presentation Award recipient will be notified by e-mail, and mail, with a letter stating the accomplishment(s) of the Award winner meriting its receipt, signed by PARC Joint National Steering Committee Co-chairs. Award presentation logistics will be discussed upon notification. This Award will be presented annually in conjunction with the Spring meeting of the PARC Joint National Steering Committee, typically held at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference (NAWNRC)
The Award Award recipient will receive a cash award of $1000 and an engraved, commemorative plaque. In addition, the award winner will be publicly recognized in PARC announcements and news releases, as well as in person during the award presentation.
Download Nomination Form - HERE

 

 

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PARC Visionary Leader Award

 In 2011, PARC initiated the Visionary Leader Award. This award recognizes an individual in North America who exemplifies extraordinary leadership, vision, and commitment, specifically to PARC, in a manner that has carried PARC to new heights and has significantly forwarded the PARC mission.

Nominees for the award are not publicly solicited, but rather are determined via the PARC Joint National Steering Committee members, in collaboration with regional PARC leadership. This award shall be presented no more than once per year, although it may not be presented annually. The award is accompanied by an engraved plaque, $1,000, and travel expenses to the award ceremony at an annual professional meeting, all of which are provided by our partners at the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy."

 

 

The first-ever recipient of the PARC Visionary Leader Award was J. Whitfield "Whit" Gibbons. 

The second (2012) recipient of the PARC Visionary Leader Award is Ernesto "Ernie" Garcia.

 

Climate Change and Herpetofauna

 

Climate Change and Herpetofauna

As scenarios of variable climate conditions unfold, species at the limits of their environmental tolerances will be especially at risk. In addition to predicting effects of altered climates on herpetofauna, management alternatives need to be designed to ensure habitat quality and connectivity. Vulnerabilities will need to be assessed.

PARC is bridging the science-management interface relative to identifying known and potential consequences of climate variation on amphibians and reptiles, and communicating adaptation management approaches.

 

Relocation, Reintroduction, Tranlocation, and Headstarting

RRTH = Relocation, Reintroduction, Translocation, and Headstarting

RRTH projects are being used as stop-gap measures for rare species conservation relative to a variety of conservation concerns. These approaches can have high costs in terms of money and mortality of precious rare animals, hence lessons learned from ongoing efforts are important to convey. Our spreadsheet attached below is an initial compilation of projects for amphibians, reptiles and turtles, and will be updated occasionally. Contact information is provided if you would like to ask specific questions about successes or failures to project leaders. Please submit your spreadsheet additions and revisions to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Worldwide projects can be added. Many thanks to PARC's RRTH Task Team members JD Kloepfer and Tracey Tuberville for their hard work to initiate this effort.

April 15, 2011 version available HERE

 

 

2011 Designated YEAR OF THE TURTLE!

 

Turtle conservation groups in partnership with PARC designated 2011 as the Year of the Turtle

 

PARC 10-Year Anniversary

10 Years of PARC!

2009 marked the 10th anniversary of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

Established as one of the most ambitious conservation partnerships in the country, PARC brings together representatives of science and education, industry and commerce, state and federal government, conservation societies, pet and field hobbyists, and the general public from across the US plus Canada and Mexico. PARC stands alone internationally as being the only partnership to address the conservation of all amphibians and reptiles. CLICK HERE to download and view the commemorative brochure (3 MB PDF), highlighting all of the great projects and partners involved in our efforts. 

Download PARC's 10-year anniversary commemorative brochure

Global Bd Mapping Project: Update -- July 2010

Another effort to compile Bd data worldwide has been completed!

Background information on the project can be found at our  earlier posts.