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ARC eNews
May 2019

Welcome to our ARC eNews
At this time of year, the warmer weather lures us outside into our gardens and local green spaces. The late spring sunshine means this is a great time to see wildlife and our reptiles are no exception. Adders are basking, slow-worms are breeding and soon grass snakes will be laying eggs. Doing little things to make our gardens wildlife havens and being careful to respect wild places and the creatures that live there means we can all stay happy and safe this summer. Get some tips on our website.

Great new(t)s for North Wales

Great crested newts are returning to a corner of north-east Wales, thanks to a partnership between ARC and the housing developer Redrow.

The 0.8ha White Lion Nature Reserve at Penymynydd in Flintshire is home to five of our native amphibians and surveys across six ponds show a six-fold increase in our most protected newt between 2014 and 2019.

Litter in the countryside – it’s rubbish for amphibians and reptiles too

Litter is ugly and unhealthy for people, but it can be fatal for our frogs, toads, newts, lizards and snakes. With a recent flurry of reports about animals trapped by litter, we are asking everyone to please remember to take your rubbish home with you after you’ve out enjoying the spring sunshine.

Wild about garden ponds

For many the garden or school pond represents their first wildlife experience with sights and sounds of tadpoles, frogs and newts. It often prompts a lifelong interest in nature; the first frogspawn of the season remains a keenly-anticipated event.

But how important is the garden pond for wildlife such as amphibians and what can you do to make it more suitable for them?

Thanks a billion to Steve!

Dr Stephen Green, Lecturer in Zoology at Cornwall College, ran the London Marathon for ARC on Sunday 28 April 2019, completing the race in a time of 4:38:11 and raising over £2,000.

A big thank you to Steve and to everyone who has donated on his fundraising page so far. His page remains open for a few weeks. If you would like to donate visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StephenGreen34

Snakes and garden netting

Snakes can sometimes become caught in netting used by gardeners to protect fruit and vegetables or to cover ponds. Sadly, it is very difficult for a snake to disentangle itself and they often suffer a slow death from their injuries, exposure to the elements or predator attacks.

You can help ensure snakes avoid a deadly tangle in your garden by following our simple advice.

Upcoming training courses and events

Throughout the spring we are running and attending a variety of events and training courses:

2nd June - Milland Rural Fair in West Sussex
8th June - Vanishing Viper 2019: A European Perspective on Adder Conservation in Bangor, North Wales
12th June - Guided Walk - Ferndown Common in Dorset
15th June - Guided Walk- East Weaver's Down Reptile Ramble in Hampshire

Find out more about our other upcoming training courses, events and volunteer tasks via our website.

Support us

Join Amphibian and Reptile Conservation as an ARC Friend today, for as little as £2 per month, and help us give a voice to the UK’s amphibians and reptiles: saving species, improving habitats and re-connecting people with nature.

Volunteering with ARC

ARC owns and manages over 80 reserves across the country so there are plenty of opportunities to help out. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, get out and about in the great outdoors and get some exercise - all whilst knowing you're doing something invaluable for local wildlife.

ARC Corporate Supporters

Become an ARC Corporate Supporter and show your employees and customers your commitment to environmental issues and the UK's disappearing wildlife. There are a variety of levels and benefits available.

Legacies and Gifts in Memory

Leaving a legacy gift will enable Amphibian and Reptile Conservation to continue its work to protect amphibians and reptiles for generations to come. A gift to us helps achieve our vision of a world where amphibians and reptiles are safeguarded, as well as the habitats on which they depend.

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust is a national wildlife charity (England & Wales no. 1130188, Scotland no.SC044097) committed to conserving amphibians and reptiles, and saving the disappearing habitats on which they depend. Our vision is for amphibians and reptiles thriving in their natural habitats and a society inspired and committed to their conservation.

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ARC eNews May 2019