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ARC eNews
July 2019

Welcome to our ARC eNews
Summer has arrived and with it some very exciting times for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Our move to a new head office and an announcement about our Snakes in the Heather project are just some of the highlights. The heatwaves that we’ve been experiencing across the country can affect our amphibians and reptiles in several ways, but most questions we have received recently relate to amphibians and ponds. Take a look at our advice to find out how hot weather affects our frogs, toad and newts.

New home for ARC

As of Monday 29 July 2019 ARC has migrated to a new head office! After 20 years in our old office we have moved a few hundred metres up to road to 744 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

The recently renovated ground-floor office will provides a much-improved base for our staff, trustees, volunteers and visitors.

ARC’s new address is: 744 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6BZ.
Our other contact details remain unchanged.

The secretive smooth snake gets National Lottery lifeline

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £412,000 to ARC to help save the UK’s rarest reptile.

During the ground-breaking Snakes in the Heather project ARC and its partners will work with hundreds of volunteers and citizen scientists to conserve habitats, build a vital record of populations and find out what needs to be done to secure the future of the smooth snake.

Project on the brink of a national award

ARC’s innovative project to bring rare species such as the sand lizard and the natterjack toad back from the brink in the north-west of England has been shortlisted for a National Lottery Award.

We are asking our supporters to vote online by Wednesday 21 August 2019 at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or use #NLAfromtheBrink.

Our ‘Gems in the Dunes’ project on the Sefton Coast is part of the wider Back from the Brink programme that aims to save 20 key species at the brink of extinction and improve the fortunes of a further 200 plants and animals.

Photography & disturbance

We’re pleased to support the National Wildlife Crime Unit’s “Undisturbed” campaign, which aims to reduce disturbance caused by photography and drones.

Some species appear to be resilient to disturbance, while others - like the adder - are more vulnerable. Images can help raise awareness of elusive species like adders, and photographers can contribute to conservation by reporting their observations. We therefore think that restricting disturbance should be balanced with the benefits that photography brings.

Updated facts and advice on adder bites

The adder is Britain’s only venomous snake, and this fact may cause concern for members of the public. ARC’s experience is that there is a great deal of poor or even misleading advice on adders and adder bites available in books, the media and generally on the internet. We believe it is important that people have access to advice that is evidence-based, clear and helpful.

As part of our ongoing work on adder conservation we have compiled facts and advice on adder bites which we hope will answer the most frequently asked questions.

Upcoming training courses and events

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

7 Aug - Guided Walk - Creech Heath in the Isle of Purbeck.
14 Aug - Pond dipping Field Farm Nature Reserve in Flintshire.
14 Aug - World Lizard Day Exhibition on the Sefton Coast.
22 Sept - Woolmer Scrub Bash 2019 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 July 2019