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The Calusa Herpetological Society
Of Southwest Florida |
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Thursday, February 4, 2021 - 7:00 pm on Zoom
Chris
Lechowicz from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)
will give a talk and lead a discussion about the World
Turtle Crisis and how it affects us locally in
the United States and particularly southwest Florida. Turtles and
tortoises, as a taxonomic group, are in crisis mode throughout the world as
increasing human populations have placed heavy pressure on many of the ~360
living species. Everything from development, road mortality, human food
sources, traditional medicines, and turtle trafficking for the international
pet trade are causing heavy damage to specific species, some of this damage is
irreparable. What are the answers to helping these prehistoric creatures from
going extinct in the next couple centuries in the wild? These answers are still
being figured out, but maybe we can come up with some new ideas.
Chris
has been an amphibian and reptile enthusiast since he was a young child.
This passion followed him to college and as a career as a biologist. He is the
Director of the Wildlife & Habitat Management Program and staff
herpetologist at SCCF. He is
the coauthor of the book "Amphibians
and Reptiles of Florida and Amphibians and Reptiles of Sanibel &
Captiva Islands: A Natural History". He is currently conducting
research on Florida box turtles (Terrapene carolina bauri), diamondback
terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), and eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon
couperi) in Florida. He is an active member of the Turtle Survival Alliance
(TSA), IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialists Group (TFTSG), Florida
Turtle Conservation Trust (FTCT), and the Turtle & Tortoise Preservation
Group (TTPG).
Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84071698688?pwd=dkk4SE02QW5jU2NWQitRb2l6bjAvUT09
Important, please read below.
This talk will be presented live on Zoom. Zoom is an app (program) that allows you to watch and participate in a live presentation. You can watch on any internet/Wifi based device such as a computer, smart phone, tablet, etc. You will be able to ask questions at the end just like our regular meetings if your device has a microphone. We will send a link for you to click on and enter the meeting. Please keep your microphone on mute through the entire presentation unless you are asking a question, then shut it off again.
We will not be going to a restaurant for dinner, drinks, and discussions after the meeting, but you can do so in the privacy of your own home. After the lecture/question section has ended, feel free to hang around on Zoom if you want to talk about other topics. This format is new for us, so let's see how it works.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
WHO'S INVITED ? You are! Anyone with an interest in any aspect of herpetology or herpetoculture is welcome to attend, learn, and exchange their experiences with our friendly membership. Come out to meet others who keep, breed or study reptiles and amphibians, and let them share their fascination with you. We average 20 – 35 people attending every meeting.
Cookies and cold soda, a nightly raffle of live herps, herp products, and books follow each speaker's talk, and lots of herp camaraderie, gossip, and fun can be counted upon at all meetings !
For more info , call (239) 728-2390 or (239) 481-3525 or EMAIL: info@calusaherp.org