People of all ages can get involved with the conservation of Pennsylvania’s reptiles and amphibians. If you are visiting this site, you probably love the outdoors and understand the importance of preserving wildlife.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, park ranger, counselor, or just want to know more information, we have developed learning materials, activities and lesson plans for you. These plans were designed for your learning and to aid you in educating others.
If your have a project in mind but can’t find the information you need on our web site, let us know. The opportunities are endless. We have a knowledgeable group of herpetologists and volunteers who can assist you in your research.
We also welcome you to join our volunteer team. We encourage individuals, groups and schools to take part in the conservation of our state’s reptiles and amphibians.
How you can make a difference:
Database Volunteers:
The PAHERP database gives the public a chance to help with conservation and research on the reptiles and amphibians of Pennsylvania. This will aid in extending the range of many species within the state and determine a better understanding of the status of each species. To find out more about the database, see our FAQ section or the Database Volunteer Handbook.
Learning Zone:
The learning zone includes publications on what affects the herpetofauna in the state. The information will give you an idea of which individual species need your help and why. The publications also include interesting facts about reptiles and amphibians of Pennsylvania. These resources may be read, shared, printed and used to aid in lectures or meetings.
Activities for Kids:
Who says conservation can’t be fun? Educating kids about our reptiles and amphibians is a major step for the future of reptiles and amphibians within our state. Fun activities are a great way to get students and children involved. Through learning, kids will see the importance of preserving these animals for years to come. Exciting, hands-on projects are interesting and memorable for kids. They will likely share what they’ve learned with their friends and family members.
Lesson Plans for Teachers:
Teachers and educators have a major influences on kids and can open their eyes to the amazing and fascinating world of herps. These lessons are designed for grades K-12 and cover a wide range of topics that can be used to aid teachers in educational activities and classroom studies.
The lesson plans cover activities for different age groups for indoors and outside and include information such as properly identifying different species and their habitats, how to find different species and how we can help make sure they are around in the future.
Volunteering with Organizations:
Many of Pennsylvania’s organizations need your volunteering to help keep our parks and waterways clean. They also need people to help build and restore habitats. There are many ways you can become involved. Just ask.
