Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 31, Number 5;   May, 2004

Colorado Division of Wildlife: Herpetofaunal Atlas

Volunteers Needed to Monitor Colorado's Reptiles and Amphibians

To address this situation, the Species Conservation Section of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has established the Colorado Herpetofaunal Atlas. The web-based atlas and its associated database will be used to compile and display information on distribution and abundance of amphibians and reptiles throughout Colorado. The Atlas website allows scientists and the public to submit and document their observations of amphibians and reptiles on a continuous basis. The website uses this information to generate maps showing the state-wide distribution of each species. The Atlas website also contains photographs, identification tips, and ecological information that can be used to identify species found throughout the state.

A critical factor in successfully compiling information on the current status of Colorado's amphibian and reptile species is an active volunteer program. Similar programs for birds have been extremely successful in providing scientists with population trend information that is crucial in making conservation management decisions across the United States.

The CDOW is requesting your assistance in notifying volunteers about this exciting opportunity to participate in monitoring the current and ongoing population status of amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. The CDOW is planning several introductory field sessions across the state in early to mid-June of 2004. The sessions will include an introduction to the website, as well as hands-on field training on how to document observations of amphibians and reptiles. Each session is expected to last 2-3 hours.

Preliminary locations and dates include:

• Monday, June 7: Northeast Colorado near Greeley
• Tuesday, June 8: Southeast Colorado near La Junta
• Wednesday, June 9: Southwest Colorado
• Thursday, June 10: Northwest Colorado near Dinosaur
• Friday, June 11: Near Grand Junction
• Monday, June 14: Park Range near Steamboat Springs
• Tuesday, June 15: Near Denver

Exact locations and times will be determined by mid-May and, to the extent possible, will consider responses received by interested parties.

Individuals are encouraged to contact Brenda Beatty, Jim LaVelle, or Beckie Rawlinson at CDM (303-298-1311; CDM is a consultant for CDOW) to register for the session(s) of interest. Email addresses for these contacts are beattybl@cdm.com, lavellejm@cdm.com, or rawlinsonrc@cdm.com. Meeting locations and times will be provided in late May to those who are interested in attending the field sessions. The deadline for receiving responses (by phone or email) is May 19.