NC PARTNERS IN AMPHIBIAN & REPTILE CONSERVATION (NCPARC)
NC Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation by Jeff Hall, Wildlife Diversity Biologist and NCPARC Coordinator
T he Wildlife Diversity Herp team has been busy with outreach activities. NCPARC sponsored two events focused on backyard snakes. Events were held at public parks in Apex and Cary, where sev- eral hundred people had the opportunity to learn about local snakes and see many live local species. Around twenty volunteers assisted with these events, spearheaded by former WRC photographer Melissa McGaw. NCPARC also hosted a booth at the Longleaf Fest at Harris Lake County Park in Wake County. The NC Chapter of The Wildlife Society met during the quarter and Wildlife Diversity staff gave a talk focused on the “Rattlesnake Sightings Wanted” community science project. Between the years 2020–2023, staff have received 939 sight- ings yielding 769 rattlesnake records through this project. These records can be used to assess species distribution and help identify important habitat conservation areas. Staff also provided field work- shops for North Carolina State University, Camp Chestnut Ridge, and a training for incoming WRC Law Enforcement officers. In addition to these field meetings, staff gave talks on herp conservation at the Cradle of Forestry, UNC Wilmington, Pamlico Public Library, and to the Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee. Due to terrific success in detecting Gopher Frog egg masses at Holly Shelter Game Land over the winter season, head-starting efforts were conducted with partners, including the NC Aquariums, NCSU CMAST, Carteret Community College, and the USFWS Edenton National Fish Hatchery. Rearing tadpoles to metamorphosis from eggs collected over the winter takes 3-5 months, depending on tem- peratures and weather patterns. These efforts resulted in the release of
JEFF HALL/NCWRC
Top: People at a Backyard Snakes event. Middle: A sign used to help generate rattlesnake sightings. Bottom: NC Aquariums staff and part- ners releasing Gopher Frogs at Holly Shelter game lands.
JEFF HALL/NCWRC
JEFF HALL/NCWRC
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45 2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
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