Today is “Earth Day” What have you done for herps to make Earth Day everyday? While the day comes once a year, the Earth and its inhabitan
Today is “Earth Day” What have you done for herps to make Earth Day everyday? While the day comes once a year, the Earth and its inhabitants need our help everyday. Here are some tips that you can follow to make the Earth a better place for herps.
Educate Yourself
The single most important element in helping herps worldwide is to educate yourself with regard to the plight that some of these animals are facing. Read up on species and what is going on in other parts of the world and learn what may be impacting their populations. You can support local environmental organizations in the countries that you read about, just make sure that they are legitimate before you hand over your hard earned dollars in your efforts to support them.
Support Habitat Protection
Some of the largest issues that face herps worldwide is habitat loss in the form of destruction or development. Some herps are known to exist in just a few places on earth and some of these places are getting destroyed by habitat loss, be it from development, mining, or deforestation. You can do your part by supporting habitat protection efforts through a reputable non-profit organization.
Count Herps in Your Neighborhood
Is your state looking for folks to help count herps? Join the count and participate in counting them for a day or two, or continuously. Every year, many states look for volunteers to count frogs, turtles, and other herps and the data that is collected by participants is invaluable. It helps the state determine what species are doing well and what species may need further action with regard to protections. And it is fun because you are out of the house counting some of your most favorite reptiles and amphibians!
Read More
The PA Fish and Boat Commission Needs You To Count Reptiles This Summer!
Texas Volunteers Needed For Spring Herp Count
Support Disease Research
Disease such as chytrid has devastated many amphibian species worldwide, and snake fungal disease is making its way into wild populations of rattlesnakes and other North American species, to detrimental effects. Read up on the various non-profits that are working on research to help find cures to help stop these diseases from killing off large swaths of the amphibian and reptile populations. They are out there, but it requires a bit of research.
Rethink Your Own Patch of Earth
Do you live in a house with a lawn? Can it be converted to something that is more eco-friendly? In Southern California we are experiencing a severe drought, and as a result (coupled with the fact that I hated mowing my lawn) I pulled all the grass out of my front yard and have replaced it with river rock and drought resistant plants. While this may not seem like much, take into account that I have no grass clippings that go into the landfill, I don’t have to run a 2-stroke lawnmower anymore, and there is never a need for chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides which end up washed into the ocean and into the food chain.
There is plenty more that you can do to make Earth Day Everyday! Rethink your purchases, support your local herp and hero rescue societies, get out and count herps, and support those organizations that help protect the habitats of reptiles, amphibians and other animals of the Earth.
