A lot of us assume that when a species is in danger of extinction, it’ll be listed for protection under

You may have noticed that, at ARC, we spend a lot of time on invasive species management. From removing invasive bullfrogs in southwestern wetlands to controlling fire ants and a multitude of plants in southeastern ecosystems, it seems like our invasives work is never-ending. In fact, it may seem pointless, and some have argued that we just need to get used to the idea that invasive species are now part of our ecosystems.

When planning conservation actions for imperiled amphibians and reptiles, we not only have to consider factors like their population sizes, habitat needs, and genetics, but we also must take into account laws and regulations.

Have you ever enjoyed watching a turtle amble by? How about being amazed by the frenzy of fast-moving legs as a lizard scurried across your path or being soothed by a chorus of calling frogs?

For many of us, these kinds of encounters with reptiles and amphibians are synonymous with our love of the outdoors. The beautiful and fascinating species that share the world with us provide accessible ways to connect with nature. They spark our curiosity, inspire us to feel awe, and tap into our sense of wonder.

The government shutdown could be a big setback for vulnerable wildlife species in the US. Not only will the critical activities of federal natural resource agencies come to a halt, but much of the work of ARC and other partner organizations also won’t be possible. Unfortunately, some of our critically imperiled focal species can’t afford for us to miss the window to implement the efforts they need, which are often seasonal and time-sensitive.

“When National Forests, Wildlife Refuges, Parks, and other public lands are forced to close, and their employees are furloughed, it hampers our ability to carry out targeted conservation efforts for species that are already running out of time,” ARC Executive Director JJ Apodaca explained. “And timing is key for many of these efforts, such as the protection of the seasonal breeding and egg-laying sites of a federally-listed salamander.”

Let’s stick together for amphibians and reptiles! Sign up for our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, between September 15 – October 3, 2023, and in appreciation, we’ll send you six awesome stickers featuring salamanders, frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles. Use them to show your support for the conservation of these often misunderstood and overlooked species.

Stick your nose in our business and subscribe to The ARC’ives e-newsletter to receive the latest amphibian and reptile news straight to your inbox and six free stickers to your mailbox. When you sign up, you’ll connect with us and learn about beautiful and fascinating amphibians and reptiles in the US that, although are often small in size, have oversized impacts on their ecosystems. Plus, the ARC’ives will bring a regular dose of hope to your email as we tell you about the many ways we’re helping keep these incredible species around for generations to come.

The Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of federal legislation affecting the conservation of amphibian and reptile species and their habitats. This far-reaching legislation sets important national food and agricultural policy through wide-ranging provisions related to everything from risk management to nutrition and rural development programs.

It is also by far the largest source of US investment in the conservation of soil, water, land, and wildlife on private lands. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized about $30 billion for conservation programs over five years. Through its voluntary, incentive-based programs, the bill enables farmers, ranchers, and foresters to protect wildlife and habitats. These programs incentivize landowners to conserve sensitive ecosystems like wetlands and grasslands, improve water and soil quality, mitigate climate change impacts, and restore habitat for imperiled species, all while improving the sustainability and economic viability of their operations.

In December of this year, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) turns 50 years old. As this important anniversary approaches, I’m sure you will see waves of news coverage. If it’s anything like past coverage of the ESA, it will be as varied as the species the act protects. No environmental act has been more lambasted or more praised than the ESA.

In this post and beyond, I will dig into the ESA and discuss what it means for amphibian and reptile conservation. This overview will be followed by a series of posts leading up to the anniversary featuring amphibians and reptiles that have been listed as Threatened or Endangered, some that have thrived and some that continue to struggle. It is my hope that increased understanding of this vital law and the effects it has on our native biodiversity will help us better appreciate it and continue in our work together to improve it.

Conserving rare species—ones that, in many cases, we don’t know much about—is a constant challenge. Luckily, technology is on our side. All the time, new methods and tools emerge that help us in our work at ARC. Some seem like sci-fi. We can figure out where a species was by taking water samples. Some, like species distribution modeling, translate ecological theory into action using machine learning. Others are surprising. Sometimes, we track individual animals by waving a pole over our heads connected to a beeping electronic box. But all of them help us in our mission to protect and restore amphibian and reptile populations all over the country. Below, we’ll walk through a few of our methods from our toolbox to give a sense of how the work at ARC really gets done.

As the climate changes, our resolve to protect vitally important wildlife remains steadfast. Climate change affects everything in the natural world, and modern conservation efforts must account for its impacts. For amphibians and reptiles, in particular, even small environmental changes can have big effects. Their internal body temperatures fluctuate with the temperature of their surroundings (called ectothermic), and therefore, their behavior and health are also affected. Most amphibians have permeable skin, making them hypersensitive to moisture changes. Many reptiles, like alligator snapping turtles, have temperature-dependent sex determination, so shifts can throw off male-female population balances. And already, these critical species are in steep decline—recent news indicates that one in five reptiles are imperiled, along with a third of amphibian species.

Let’s be clear: climatic shifts have occurred for as long as the earth has been around. But what we are seeing today is quite different than what were typically more gradual shifts in the past. The world has warmed by roughly two degrees Fahrenheit over the last century alone.

“I am a man in love with nature…I am a wildling, born of forests and fields and more comfortable on unpaved back roads and winding woodland paths than in any place where concrete, asphalt, and crowds prevail.”

– J. Drew Lanham, The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature

Whether you prefer nature’s solitude or are more at home in a crowd, you likely feel reassured knowing that there are places teeming with eye-catching and intriguing wildlife, like turtles, frogs, and lizards. Together, we have the opportunity to ensure that these places and species are protected for current and future generations. Have you ever wondered about the best ways to go about conserving species and how you can help? Although the answers are not always straightforward, we can harness our ingenuity and passion to implement the conservation solutions that the other species that share this planet need from us.