Northeast Herpetology Workshop 2017 Dates: June 12-23, 2017 (weekend attendance is optional)
Location: New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC) in Stokes State Forest, Sussex County, New Jersey Description: This workshop is an introduction to the reptiles and amphibians of the Northeast United States and the techniques that are used to conserve and study them in the field. Through numerous field activities, participants will acquire vital research skills and hands-on experience with the salamanders, frogs, toads, turtles, lizards, and snakes that call the Northeast home. A small number of classroom lectures and active learning discussions will also contribute to the learning experience. The workshop includes: Discussions of reptile and amphibian natural history: their basic biology, life histories, and habitats Discussions on the conservation and management of reptiles and amphibians Discussions concerning study design Reptile and amphibian identification and taxonomy Identification of calling amphibians by ear Habitat, plant, and non-herp animal identification Reptile and amphibian sampling, trapping, and marking/tagging techniques Radiotelemetry Reptile and amphibian tissue sampling for DNA analysis Collection of occupancy, relative abundance, mark-recapture, physical, environmental, and geographic data Field note recordation and organization A primer in nature photography Day and night surveys for reptiles and amphibians Hikes through several diverse northeastern habitats Off-site field trips to the New Jersey Pine Barrens and urban habitats near NYC Participation in ongoing herpetological studies at the NJSOC and elsewhere Meals and lodging at the NJSOC Qualifications: No experience is necessary but participants should be capable of college-level work and have strong interests in field biology, ecology, natural history, etc. Participants should also be in relatively good health and capable of hiking several miles in a range of conditions over moderate- difficult terrain. Cost: The workshop will be divided into two one-week sessions, with each week-long session involving different schedules, activities, and learning experiences. Participants will have the option of taking the workshop for either one week (5 days) or two weeks (10 days). Cost is $750.00 per person for one week and $1000.00 per person for two weeks (discounts are available for early registrants; see registration below). These fees include instruction, meals, and lodging at the NJSOC. Credit: Visiting undergraduate students who complete the workshop can obtain 1-3 transferable credits from Montclair State University or they can obtain credit from their home institution by completing the workshop as an independent study or special project (if their home institution approves). Non-credit options and course completion certificates are also available upon request. For all inquiries regarding academic credit, please contact Dr. Randall Fitzgerald at: fitzgera...@mail.montclair.edu Registration: Class space is limited and participants will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a seat, each participant must pay a non-refundable $250 deposit by May 1st 2017. Participants who pay in full by May 1st will receive a 10% discount on their registration. Late registrations will be welcome after May 1st if space is still available (please inquire). Full registration must be paid by June 1st 2017. Refunds will not be issued after June 1st. Contact: thomas.j.duc...@hofstra.edu More Information: http://www.montclair.edu/csam/school-of-conservation/summer- workshops/herpetology/
