WEEK 3: Feb 15-21, 2024
Herpetology -- February 21, 2024
This Week's Topic
Herpetology - Unit 15 in your textbook. Complete the optional quiz HERE
Our Expert on Stage
Ryan Blankenship, Senior Wildlife Biologist
Read Ryan's BIO
Pre-work - Must be completed by class time
Look over Unit 15 in your textbook. Complete the optional quiz HERE
Watch the assigned videos with reflection questions
Texas Spiny Lizard (3:12)
Venomous Snakes of Texas (2:09)
The Lizard's Tale: Meet the Anole (6:23)
Frog Chorus (7:10)
In an attempt to balance the pre-work, we have added the following videos in preparation for Week 4. We will discuss iNaturalist after our Laws & Ethics presentation.
Introduction to iNaturalist (17:19)
Getting the Most Out of iNaturalist (8:39)
TPWD video featuring Sam Kieschnick aka. "Master iNaturalist" (6:11)
Use the video instructions to update your profile and settings in iNaturalist.
Check out the herps that have been observed in Collin County HERE.
Optional Activities
The Amphibian Crisis (12:08)
The Adaptations of the Texas Rat Snake (5:09)
Texas Water Turtles (7:27)
iNaturalist FAQs (2:14)
Bring to Class
REMEMBER: Meet in Laughlin Hall in the main museum building
Reminders
Logging Hours
*Make sure that you have recorded last week's attendance in VMS
(If you missed class, contact your pod guides to schedule a make-up.)
Opportunity: Init Training-Class 02
Date: February 14, 2024
Hours: 3.0
Description: Ornithology, presented by Sam Crowe
TRY TO LOG YOUR HOURS BEFORE THE WEEKEND
If you participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count
here's how to enter it in VMS:
Opportunity: Cornell: Great Backyard Bird Count: TMN Field Research Hours
Date: February __, 2024 (Log each day that you participate separately)
Hours: log actual hours, including the time it takes to record your data
Description: List your location and describe what you did (ex: Frisco Commons Park; walked the prairie restoration area and wooded trails)
If you attended the webinar: "All About the Great Backyard Bird Count"
here's how to enter it in VMS:
Opportunity: AT: Other Pre-approved Training
Date: February 13, 2024
Hours: 1.0
Description: webinar: All About the Great Backyard Bird Count
Volunteer and Training Opportunities
See Chapter Calendar for approved opportunities
Other Herpetology Resources
TexasSnakeID.com - Mark Pyle's website
National Snakebite Support - Facebook group
Dallas-Ft. Worth Herpetological Society - website
Herps of Texas: Frogs and Toads of Texas (TPWD) - photos and calls
What Kind of Snake is This? - Facebook group
Texas Invasive Species Institute - website
Texas Snakes: A Field Guide - James Dixon, et al (2020)
Texas Amphibians: A Field Guide - Bob L. Tipton, et al (2012)
Texas Lizards: A Field Guide - Troy and Toby Hibbitts (2015)
CLASS MEETING INFORMATION
Meet at the Heard Museum
Laughlin Hall
This is the main Museum building, and not the SRC.
Week THREE: Wednesday, February 21, 2024
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Class meets IN PERSON
WEEK THREE CLASS UPDATE
Happy Thursday, Class of 2024!
Hope everyone enjoyed the class with Ornithology last night. Now it's time to put those birding skills to work! The Great Backyard Bird Count starts tomorrow, and it's a great time for everyone to earn some volunteer hours!
Don't forget that next week's class meets in the main museum building, in Laughlin Hall. Park in the main parking lot (the first one you come to) and enter the main museum. Our speaker will present in Laughlin Hall, then we'll split up to see some reptiles up close!
It's time to start signing up for Class Field trips! Our first opportunity is coming up on Feb. 24, so don't miss out! And if you haven't signed up to bring snacks for two classes, please sign up HERE. Remember to dress appropriately for the field trips and for outdoor volunteering: always wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, even if the weather is warm! We’ve occasionally had people show up in shorts and/or sandals, which isn’t safe for our off-trail excursions.
If you need to schedule a make-up class, contact Janice James jdjames@gmail.com to make arrangements. Remember, if you know you're going to have to miss a class, make arrangements as soon as possible while there are still more options available.
Have a great week,
Lisa
PS: Please try to log your class hours before the week-end. This gives us time to check that everything is correct before the VH/AT team starts approvals, usually on Sunday.
Make sure that you have recorded last week's attendance in VMS
(If you missed class, contact your pod guides to schedule a make-up.)
Opportunity: Init Training-Class 02
Date: February 14, 2024
Hours: 3.0
Description: Ornithology, presented by Sam Crowe