Literaturdatenbank
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Windmiller, B., & Berkholtz, J. , Using headstarting as a tool for both herpetological conservation and for effective and engaging education.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:23:15 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: Windmiller2011 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Emydoidea blandingii, Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Berkholtz, Windmiller |
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| Abstract |
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To date, we have collaborated with more than 10 Massachusetts schools in headstarting two rare species, the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and the eastern spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus holbrooki). Both efforts are part of long-term field conservation projects. In the case of the Blanding’s turtle, headstarting is used as a means of overcoming decades of low recruitment levels in the third largest known population of the species in New England, the Great Meadows Blanding’s turtle population. In the case of spadefoot toads, headstarted toadlets will be used in a reintroduction project that will begin in the spring of 2011. We have built simple curriculum projects around these headstarting programs that introduce students and their teachers to various aspects of reptile and amphibian biology, conservation, and captive husbandry. To date, these headstarting programs have been conducted with great success in classrooms from first through twelfth grade. We radiotrack juvenile Blanding’s turtles that have been raised in classrooms after their release back into their natal habitats and survivorship levels to date have been high. Similar post-release monitoring is planned with spadefoot toads using drift fence – pitfall trap systems. Student and teacher reaction has been very positive. Most importantly, we emphasize that these programs afford students a way to learn about and to actually be involved in helping solve local conservation problems, a very different message than the sense of hopelessness that is often conveyed to students in lessons about many environmental problems.
Added by: Admin |