Title: Identify BMPs for reptile and amphibian species.
Course: Fisheries and Wildlife Management (18501) > Section: Examining Reptilian and Amphibian Species

Identification may include

- improving habitats
  - ponds (e.g., adding fences, plant life, logs, rocks)
  - prairies (e.g., adding wet areas, native grasses, hay)
  - woodlands (e.g., adding ponds near edge of timberland, opening up spaces)
- using natural resources
- controlling use of chemicals and pesticides
- enforcing laws and regulations to protect animals and their environments
- monitoring programs of indicator species (e.g., FrogWatch USA)
- participating in protection, conservation, and restoration projects.

Process/Skill Questions:

- How does temperature affect the management of reptiles and amphibians?
- How does the breeding season affect the management of reptiles and amphibians?
- What are some organizations that help with the management of reptiles and amphibians?
- What practices can you implement to help protect the reptiles and/or amphibians that live in your community? In your state?
- What is a herpetologist? Why are they important to fisheries and wildlife management?
- What role does the Virginia Herpetological Society play in the protection of reptiles and amphibians?
- How has pollution impacted reptile and amphibian populations locally? Globally?
- What impact does rising sea level have on reptile and amphibian populations?
- Why are amphibian populations considered to be accurate gauges of environmental health?
- How has restriction of recreational use of some areas affected species?
- How can education of recreational visitors mitigate the effects of people on habitats?
- How might logging practices affect terrestrial amphibians?
- What is citizen science?
- How can citizen science help reptile and amphibian species?

Teacher Resource:

- Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) (http://northeastparc.org/)