The SSAR Conservation Committee brings conservation issues that affect reptiles and amphibians to the attention of state and federal government agencies, non-government organizations, and herpetologists worldwide. The Committee serves as a liaison between the SSAR and public and private groups to provide expert advice and factual knowledge about problems confronting amphibian and reptile populations. The Conservation Committee coordinates SSAR responses to proposed national and international legislation and other conservation matters, such as habitat protection for threatened and endangered species, commercial and private use, contaminants, and priorities for conservation-oriented research. Official responses are submitted for approval by the President and Secretary before public release. The Chair submits an annual report to the Secretary prior to the annual meeting of the Board.
Mission
Our conservation efforts are dedicated to informing evidenced-based decisions and actions by ensuring that herpetologists from all walks of life are able to access credible, accurate data and expert opinions, fostering enthusiasm for innovative conservation initiatives, and championing worthy conservation causes. We also serve as liaisons across professional societies that have formed a joint conservation voice, formally with American Elasmobranch Society, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, and THE Herpetologists’ League, as well as informally through our partnership with Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.”
Chair
- Dr. John Maerz (jcmaerz@uga.edu), School of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Members
- Dr. Ross Alford, Centre for Tropical Biodiversity & Climate Change, James Cook University
- Dr. Nancy Karraker, Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island
- Dr. Gad Perry, Department of Natural Resource Management, Texas Tech University
- Dr. Stephen Richter, Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University
- Dr. Susan Walls, Southeast Amphibian Research & Monitoring Initiative, U.S. Geological Survey
Joint Conservation Committee Members (JCON: ASIH, HL, AES, SSAR)
- Dr. Nicole Angeli, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources