Jim Andrews, coordinator of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, would like your help (see his message below). Attached is an Excel table that lists the common herptile species in each town that they need documentation on (also available on our website). In some cases they need an updated record of a species that used to be in the area but has not been documented in the past 25 years. In other cases, it is a species that has never been adequately documented from a given town. That table only includes common herptiles. More unusual herptiles are on a separate attachment and any sighting of those species should be reported. Also, if you would like to be added to Jim's "Herp Updates" you can ask to be added to his email list.
Have fun. -Laura
From Jim:
Master Naturalists, this is Jim Andrews, coordinator of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. The "Herp Atlas" was begun in 1994 by the Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group to the Vermont Endangered Species Committee (ESC). We needed more data on the distribution and abundance of Vermont reptiles and amphibians in order to make more informed conservation recommendations to the ESC. At that point, we did not even have a complete list of the herptile species found in Vermont. We have come a long way since then but we still rely on reports from keen observers like yourselves to update older distribution reports, or to fill in gaps in our knowledge of the distribution (and natural history) of herps in Vermont.
I have attached two files. One is our latest Excel file that shows the common herptile species we need documented from all the towns, cities, gores, and grants in Vermont. This file is also available in an easily searchable form on our website at:
https://www.vtherpatlas.org/priorities-data-gaps/common-vermont-species-that-need-documentation/
I have attached another file that is simply a list of the rarer herptiles in Vermont that should be documented any time you see them.
What we need for documentation is simply a photo or photos of the herptile. In the case of frogs, this could also be a recording (video) of the call. Ideally, we would love to have the lat long coordinates (in degrees and decimal degrees), but a simple description of the location (nearest street address and town) will also suffice.
Reports can be made through our website portal at: https://www.vtherpatlas.org/sighting-submission-form/ or the same information, photos, and recordings, can simply be sent to my e-mail (jandrews [at] VtHerpAtlas.org).
We have lots of ID information on our website (VtHerpAtlas.org), and videos on how and where to look on our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@vermontreptileamphibianatl5823
I hope you can help us fill in these data gaps on your excursions in the field over the next few years!
Jim Andrews
jandrews [at] vtherpatlas.org
VtHerpAtlas.org
642 Smead Road
Salisbury, VT 05769
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Name | 4 Year Term | Contact | |
Karen McKnight | Chair | 2025 | |
Betsy Chapek | Vice-Chair | 2026 | |
Laurie Graham | Secretary | 2027 | |
Patrick Lamphere | Member | 2025 | |
Trinity Schroeter | Member | 2027 | |
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