Thursday, February 4, 2010

First "Hooray for Herps!" Teacher Workshop Scheduled

ALAPARC is proud to announce the inaugural event for the "Hooray for Herps!" teacher workshop series, to be held March 13, 2010 at the Solon Dixon Forestry Center in Andalusia, AL. There will be a total of six workshops in the "Hooray for Herps!" series, being spearheaded by the Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA) in partnership with Legacy Partners in Environmental Education and ALAPARC.

This first workshop, which starts at 9:00 am and ends at 2:30 pm, includes content information and current research in the region from a Herpetologist, hands-on experience with live animals, and classroom activities relating to the animals, habitat and conservation. Lunch will be provided for all workshop participants. After the workshop, teachers may choose to participate in the optional field trip looking for these incredible animals.

Each teacher will receive Learning through Legacy: Alabama's Environmental Education Guide for their grade level, Legacy’s WaterSource Book, Peterson’s Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Hands-on Herpetology, and many posters from Legacy and wildlife organizations. A CD with resources-including the PowerPoint presentation of Reptiles and Amphibians in Alabama, and a CD of Alabama Frog and Toad calls.

For more information and registration, see the ALAPARC or EEAA websites.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Gopher Frog Season


February is the usual beginning of the gopher frog breeding season in Alabama, although recent warm January rains might have brought the frogs out a bit early this year. For those interested in participating in the Gopher Frog Initiative, instructions are posted here. Contact Mark Bailey for Google Earth kmz placemarks for historic gopher frog sites near you.