Archives for June 2025

Resources for a safe and inclusive field season

Posted June 12, 2025 by Kelsey Garner

Fieldwork and field courses form the backbone of herpetology, offering essential hands-on learning and research experiences. With the field season upon us, it’s important to reflect on the role identity plays in field experiences, and identify potential challenges or barriers for diverse perspectives to ensure a safe, rewarding, and productive time for everyone. The SSAR DEI Committee has compiled resources to aid in creating plans for safe, inclusive, and accessible fieldwork in herpetology.

Check out the resources here: https://ssarherps.org/fieldwork-and-field-courses-safety-equity-accessibility-and-reciprocity/

Donations needed for SSAR Live Auction and SSAR Silent Auction at JMIH 2025

Posted June 9, 2025 by Kelsey Garner

The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles will hold Live and Silent Auctions at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists in St. Paul, Minnesota, July 9–13, 2025. We are glad to accept any herp-related donations, including but not limited to: frameable art (photographs, paintings, and line illustrations), books, music, glassware, jewelry, clothing, and gift certificates for St. Paul area services/events during the week of the meeting. No live animals or products made from herps (e.g., books bound in snakeskin).

The SSAR Student Travel Committee organizes the Annual Silent Auction to raise money to fund the student travel awards to attend the annual meeting. Increasing travel costs each year makes it more difficult for students to attend meetings and become involved in societies. However, your continued support through donations to the silent auction helps offset these costs and enables students to attend, network, and present their research. The SSAR Live Auction Committee organizes the live auction, which also helps support student travel and provides additional support to the organization.

If you have any question about donating items to either auction (tax deductible for U.S. residents), please contact Griffin Nicholson (gnicholson@tamu.edu) or Jennifer Deitloff (jmd240@lockhaven.edu) for more information. Ideally, donated items will be brought to the meeting directly. However, if transporting the item(s) is not possible, they may be shipped to a local host (Kassandra Ford; ford0411@umn.edu). Please e-mail Kassandra Ford, Griffin Nicholson, and Jennifer Deitloff before sending any items to the address below. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting this summer!

JMIH 2025 Conference
c/o Dr. Kassandra Ford
135 Skok Hall
2003 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108

Bolitoglossa striatula at Laguna de Lagarto Lodge, July 25, 2024 by Alberth H. Rojas Carranza.