The organizers behind the Pennsylvania Herpetological Education and Resource Project are excited about the data people have submitted within its first three months of operation. The group has successfully gained 55 volunteers and submitted 675 records, including 2,240 individual reptiles and amphibians.
PAHERP is an online resource center for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians throughout Pennsylvania. The organization started in April 2009. Since then, herpetologists and volunteers have been working together to identify and track these animals in the state.
The organizers behind PAHERP have added some new features to the site and database such as the new community forum and video tutorials to encourage discussion and participation and to get newcomers involved with PAHERP. More features will continue to be added to the site such as video podcasts.
Fifty-five volunteers have contributed 675 records to the PAHERP database. These 675 records have identified 2,240 individual reptiles and amphibians since April. Of these submissions, 250 were tracked species (endangered, threatened, candidate species or species of concern) by the Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Project. Forty-nine species out of 76 total species found in the state have been added to the database.
Thirty-nine out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania have records of reptiles and amphibians so far. To see more on what counties have records and what species have been reported in each county, see the PDF below.
PAHERP’s goal for the year is to have more than 300 volunteers and more than 10,000 records. The organization is working hard to spread the word and get more people involved. Printed brochures will arrive in a few weeks, so interested volunteers should stay tuned for their arrival.
