The Calusa Herpetological Society Of Southwest Florida

Thursday, May 5, 2005  - 7:00 pm

TONIGHT’S  SPEAKER  - Tonight’s speaker is Chris Lechowicz.  His program will focus on the natural history and status of the American map turtles of the genus Graptemys - his personal favorites in a life-long passion for turtles.  Chris has been monitoring populations and collecting data on the 15 varieties of map turtle species for over 14 years.  He’ll take us canoeing and swimming in the big rivers of the southern U.S. on a quest to see where each species lives and how he actually studies these shy and hard-to-approach creatures in their natural habitat.  While he thoroughly delves into the natural history and legal status of the group, you’ll also find yourselves falling in love with the turtles’  ornate markings and often subtly beautiful colors

  Chris has been interested in all reptiles and amphibians since an early childhood of herping in his original home state of Illinois.  His main interests in herpetology are now focused on North American herps and the freshwater turtles in particular.  He is employed as the herpetologist at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and current vice-president of the Calusa Herpetological Society. He is also the webmaster for the Calusa Herpetological Society, Chicago Herpetological Society and his own website, Graptemys.com.

MEETING SITE : In Ft. Myers, Florida at the Calusa Nature Center , near Colonial Blvd. (S. R. 884) and Interstate 75. Get off I-75 at exit #136 (old exit #22) and go west (towards the coast) on 884 (Colonial Blvd.) for one-half mile, then turn right at the first traffic light onto Ortiz Ave., and then left into the Nature Center after only one-quarter mile. The Iona House meeting site is an older dark green house located to the left (as you enter the grounds) at the rear of the complex, back near where the school busses are parked.  The meeting opens at 7:00 pm, and the speaker usually starts no later than 7:15 pm.  Click HERE for a map to the meeting site.  After each meeting, all attendees are invited to join "the core" for an informal nightcap at RJ Gator's Restaurant / Sports Bar on Colonial Blvd. where we usually gather following meetings which end at 8:30 pm.

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 35 – 70 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