Wonderful christmas cards from Mabel at Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group

I have painted some images for Christmas cards with a distinctly reptile and amphibian theme, see attached.  You may recognise some well-known spots on Dartmoor where all herps, that shun hibernation, head to for the best places to play in the snow.  The A6 100% recycled cards and envelopes are for sale at £1.50 each or £1.25 for three or more plus P+P or we can drop them off at Forde House offices.  25% of card profits go to Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group  for surveys, habitat improvements and to raise awareness (http://groups.arguk.org/DRAG).  The cards are blank inside for your own message.

designs include:

• Adders (Vipera berus) Sledging at Haytor, Dartmoor, Devon
• Common frogs (Rana temporaria) Skating at Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon
• Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) Making a snownewt at Bowerman's Nose, Dartmoor, Devon
• Common toads (Bufo bufo) Flying a kite and hang-gliding at Stone Rows, Chagford Common, Dartmoor,Devon
• Slow worms (Anguis fragilis) Ballooning over Scorhill Circle, near Gidleigh, Dartmoor, Devon
• Common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) Snowball fighting by Long Stone, Chagford Common, Dartmoor, Devon

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested.  Go to mabelart.com or find me on facebook to see close-ups and other artwork.

A4 and A3 prints of the cards are also available.

Note that the colours may vary slightly due to different computer screen settings - but they still look great!  Make sure you allow plenty of time to avoid the Christmas postal rush...

Cheers
Mabel

Help the UK's amphibians and reptiles by promoting the online recording database the with a nifty record pool button for your website or blog (see and try below). The #RecordPool is a joint project between the ARG UK and Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. The record pool is designed to be used via recording application Herptile Id, the website, local group websites and from any mobile device. You can help spread the word of this recording database by placing the button on your website, blog so that people can record sightings of frogs, toads, newts, lizards and snakes to help with their conservation in the UK. 

Fill in a Record Pool Sighting Card!

Add this code 

[<!--START Record Pool Button--><script src="http://recordpool.arguk.org/button/argukrecordbutton.js" type="text/javascript"></script><a href="http://recordpool.arguk.org" id="argbutton" class="sightingcard" title="ARGUK Records">Fill in a Record Pool Sighting Card!</a><!--END Record Pool Button-->]

into an HTML editor for your website it is that simple. various companies have already placed recording buttons on their websites including Herpetologic Ltd, Caledonian Conservation and Habitat Aid

GlosARG Benefit Gig - 09.12.12

Fantastic night at The Prince Albert, Stroud for GlosARG's first ever benefit gig.
Massive turn out and the place rocked all night! Huge thanks to all who turned up in support...

The Prince Albert for being host and donating 10% of the bar take for the evening.

The 41 Club, Dustmites and Chinese Burn for playing for "FREE" to help Gloucestershire's Reptiles and Amphibians.

Reptiles and Amphibians Really do Rock!!!

Have a look at GlosARG's video of the night

A Bristol Green Award was winging its way to the Avon Reptile and Amphibian Group last night. 

Andy Ryder (pictured above) was nominated by ARAG and Froglife and was surprised to have won. 

Andy on receiving the award emailed to say  'the ceremony was last night & I was very surprised to win as was up against some strong candidates and my category included those in paid positions as well as volunteers.  I won my award in the conservation leaders category for my role as Chair of Avon Reptile & Amphibian Group.'

A wonderful example of the dedication of local volunteers, being rewarded, to the UK amphibians and reptiles. The network of volunteer groups across the UK are involved in local, regional and national projects including

Toads on Roads

Make the Adder Count

NARRS

Pondnet

All the thousands of volunteers are the grass roots which work with partners such as Amphibian & Reptile Conservation and Pond Conservation to help with the conservation of these wonderful animals. 

If you would like to help with these projects and local groups find yours at http://arguk.org/local-groups 

Amphibian & Reptile survey protocols - Consultation December 2012

Over the last two years a range of interested parties, including statutory bodies, NGOs (including ARC-Trust and ARG UK), academics and commercial practitioners have been examining survey protocols for amphibians and reptiles. A series of workshops was held around Great Britain between spring 2011 and spring 2012. This enabled the latest scientific research to be disseminated to those in the field, whilst field practitioners in turn flagged up areas where they considered further research and guidance was needed. The draft protocols that resulted from these workshops are now available and there will be a brief period of consultation whilst comments on the proposals are invited.   document   document  NERC KE Amphibian and Reptile Survey Protocols (DRAFT)

These should be made to Dr David Sewell, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Marlowe Building, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR or e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrive no later than 27th December 2012.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

'The draft survey protocols contained in this document are for consultation purposes only. They do not represent official policy, and in particular are not intended to necessarily represent the views of Natural England, Scottish National Heritage or the Countryside Council for Wales. Nor are the recommendations contained therein intended to be comprehensive. For example, recommendations are not given on the design of traps, artificial cover objects or on habitat assessment, although the authors recognise all of these to be important issues in the design of a survey programme for the herpetofauna of the UK.'

Herpetofauna Workers Meeting - 2013

Edinburgh Conference Centre at Heriot-Watt University
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 January 2013

Amphibian & Reptile Conservation and the Amphibian & Reptile Groups of UK are delighted to present the 2013 national Herpetofauna Workers Meeting (#HWM2013) which is to be held at the Heriot-Watt Conference Centre near Edinburgh in January 2013..

Established for over 25 years, this unique and popular event occupies the centre stage of the herpetological calendar attracting a broad range of participants from across the UK including: volunteers, professional ecologists, statutory nature conservationists, students & academics.

There is a packed programme, with presentations and workshops covering a range of topics, so something for everyone! There will also be lots of opportunities to socialize and discuss issues that are affecting you, and of course our special Gala Burns Night Dinner and quiz, which will be held on the Saturday night.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, we've been able to bring the rates down as far as we can, and once again offer a special discount to ARC friends, ARG members and students. The early bird rate runs until 21st December and the closing date from registration is 7th January.

HWM 2013 Programme

HWM 2013 Booking Form

Please return all completed booking forms to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 Follow link to Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Trust's #HWM2013 webpages