Vermont Reptile & Amphibian Atlas

Since the mid 1990s, the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian (Herp) Atlas has been gathering and disseminating information on Vermont's frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes, and lizards. Our efforts have resulted in a multitude of conservation actions by landowners, organizations, and state agencies. Though our work began in 1994, this is our very first public fundraising effort. We depend on a significant amount of volunteer effort, but the Herp Atlas also requires some money. One of our sources of federal funds has dropped from $20,000 in 2015 to $8,500 for this coming year (2019). We need your help not only to continue our award-winning efforts, but also to fund the conversion of our early prints, slides, and paper reports to an electronic form that will be easily available for future generations.



The Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas was initiated by the Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group for the Vermont Endangered Species Committee (ESC). Data were needed in order to make informed recommendations to the ESC regarding the appropriate status and conservation of these species. Since then, our goals have widened to incorporate education, citizen involvement, and dissemination of information. Specifically, we are working to:

·   fill in the many gaps in our knowledge of the distribution, abundance, and natural history of the herptiles of Vermont,
 
·   inform and involve Vermonters so that they can become better stewards of reptiles and amphibians and their habitat,
 
·   determine what herptile species are most in need of conservation action, and
 
·   promote the necessary actions to conserve not only reptiles and amphibians but also the healthy working ecosystems that support all life here in Vermont.

The Atlas has grown to involve over 6,500 volunteers and thirty-five private organizations and government agencies. With the help of these groups, staff members, and our media contacts, we are continuing to collect and disseminate information and broaden our knowledge base regarding the natural history, distribution, and effective conservation of Vermont’s reptiles and amphibians. By providing the best and most up-to-date information on the conservation of these species in Vermont, we have become a trusted party in many conservation activities throughout the state. Click here to listen to one of Jim Andrews' interviews on VPR's Vermont Edition.


The map of the common and widespread American Toad (left) shows that we now have documentation for this species from every town in Vermont. See the time lapse video of our progress filling in the gaps in American Toad distribution over time. The map of the more unusual Four-toed Salamander (right) shows that we still have significant gaps in our knowledge of its distribution that need further field work and reporting to fill in. We hope to eventually get to the point where we can provide any town with a complete list of the reptiles and amphibians found within their town boundaries, particularly those species in need of local conservation action.


The Herp Atlas Coordinator, Jim Andrews, leads a field trip. We regularly teach classes and workshops, give presentations, and lead field trips around Vermont. See the incentives below for an opportunity to win a private herping trip!  


We work on herp conservation projects with a variety of partners. An example of one of these projects is this completed amphibian underpass at an important amphibian road crossing site, where amphibians must move from overwintering habitat on the upland hillside to breeding habitat in the swamp, and back again. This project, first identified with Atlas data and designed with Jim Andrews' technical expertise, has received federal awards and recognition, and has helped thousands of amphibians safely cross the road.  


Painted Turtles are one of Vermont's most common turtle species. We regularly provide information on the distribution, abundance, natural history, and conservation of Vermont's turtle species.


The American Bullfrog is one of our more common frog species, but there still remain gaps in our knowledge of its distribution within Vermont. Take a look at the recently updated species accounts and maps on our website to learn more about Vermont's amphibian and reptile species. 


In recognition of and thanks for your contribution, we have some unique incentives that you may be interested in. They are listed below. We hope you will consider a generous donation to help support both our ongoing work and our new project to convert our documents to an electronic form.

If you choose to donate off line by check.  You can make the check payable to Jim Andrews or if you need to donate to a 501c3 nonprofit, you can write the check to Vermont Family Forests Foundation Inc. but send it to Jim Andrews at 642 Smead Road, Salisbury, VT  05769.

In order for you to receive our incentives, we will need to ask for your contact information when we thank you.
 
 
$25-$99 
                        
Herp Atlas Bumper Sticker
                                               
 
$100-$199  
                   
Herp Atlas Bumper Sticker
Name entered into drawing for a private herping field trip*
 
 
$200-$499    
                 
Herp Atlas Bumper Sticker
Name entered into drawing for a private herping field trip*
Herp Atlas Magnet for Car or Refrigerator
                                                           
 
$500 to $4,999    
       
Herp Atlas Bumper Sticker
Name entered into drawing for a private herping field trip*
Herp Atlas Magnet for Car or Refrigerator
Group Field Trip for Stream Salamanders and other herptiles (in June or July, 2019 in Vermont, date and location chosen by Jim Andrews; donor and two guests along with other contributors in this category. Biggy Iggys and Chewy Louies provided.)
 
 
$5,000 and up          
     
Herp Atlas Bumper Sticker
Herp Atlas Magnet for Car or Refrigerator
Private Vermont Herptile Slide Show & Field Trip*


*For donor and friends or family (up to 15) in Vermont, date and location (June through September, 2019) mutually agreed upon.  Biggy Iggys and Chewy Louies provided.


Please keep your reports of reptiles & amphibians in Vermont coming, and visit our website (vtherpatlas.org) or Facebook page for more information about our work.


The bumper sticker (left) and car/refrigerator magnet (right) are shown below.

If you choose to donate off line by check.  You can make the check payable to Jim Andrews or if you need to donate to a 501c3 nonprofit, you can write the check to Vermont Family Forests Foundation Inc. but send it to Jim Andrews at 642 Smead Road, Salisbury, VT  05769.