Spring is here! Trilliums are blooming, frogs are calling, and turtles are basking! As you spend more time outside conducting field work or simply enjoying “Pure Michigan,” be on the lookout for reptiles and amphibians in Michigan. When you see an amphibian or reptile, you can help state biologists by entering your observation into the Michigan Herp Atlas database.
The Michigan Herp Atlas Project is a database that documents the distribution of all herps in Michigan and is a resource for amphibian and reptile conservation. The Michigan Herp Atlas Project relies on you to gather data about Michigan’s amphibians and reptiles. Your information is used to help evaluate species’ distribution, overall health, and current status in Michigan. Your observations are incredibly valuable to the preservation of Michigan’s herpetofauna and natural resources. Even the most informal or seemingly common observations are vital to this project: enter observations about the garter snakes you see in your garden, the toads hopping in the park, and even the unfortunate dead herp on the side of the road. With your continued effort we will be able to document changes in herp populations and better protect and preserve our herpetofauna.
Please join in the effort to conserve Michigan’s wildlife by entering your herp observations into the Michigan Herp Atlas. Register at http://miherpatlas.org/signup.php. If you are a new user, simply register, then you can start adding your observations.