Young Herpetologists Club

For young people aged 8-18

The Young Herpetologists Club is unique. It offers a range of membership benefits covering field and husbandry techniques, and is backed by the country's leading herpetologists. Based on the platforms of sound conservation practice and regard for animal welfare, the YHC is an ideal way to encourage today's new generation of young amphibian and reptile enthusiasts. Established in 1980, the Young Herpetologists Club is the junior section of the British Herpetological Society.

What Do YHC Members Receive?

Young Herpetologists Newsletter: This high quality publication is published four times a year. It contains news, details of meetings and events, competitions and articles of interest. Articles written by YHC members are encouraged.

BHS Bulletin: YHC members can subscribe to the main society publication. Although produced for the adult membership, much of the content is of interest to older YHC members. The Bulletin is published four times a year.

Meetings and Events: Over 30 events were held during 1992. Regular events include an annual meeting at London Zoo, with guided tours of the reptile house, and the extemely popular residential camp. The camp takes place in an area of outstanding herpetological interest, such as the Dorset heathlands or the Cumbrian coast. Other events include torchlight amphibian safaris, reptile rambles, conservation projects, public displays and visits to schools. YHC members are also entitled to attend the main Society meetings.

Herpetological Help Line: This telephone 'surgery' operates every Sunday evening, to provide advice on any aspect of herpetology.

BHS Publications: YHC members are entitled to free copies of the information leaflets, produced by the BHS Conservation Committee.

The YHC is run by the Education Committee of the BHS. This Committee includes several teachers and herpetologists from a range of disciplines. Their combined talents offer an outstanding service to YHC members. Liaison with the other specialist Committees within the BHS has lead to unrivalled opportunities for our membership, particularly in the field of conservation.

Hands-on YHC events have assisted the conservation of smooth snakes, sand lizards, natterjack toads and great crested newts, as well as our more widespread native species. Pond and heathland conservation receive a high profile amongst YHC events.

Many captive species have been bred by YHC members and advice on captive husbandry is available. Several members have appeared on television with their animals. The BBC TV's Blue Peter programme assisted in the recent 500% increase in YHC membership. Channel 4's 'Owl TV', screened in summer 1993, featured two YHC members who were interviewed concerning breeding milk snakes and tortoises.

The YHC is regarded as more than 'just a hobby club' for young people. An increasing number of YHC members have taken their interests into further education, studying zoology and environmental science-related subjects. A YHC visit to the Zoology Department at Bristol University, proved to be of immense value to members and their parents. As well as offering careers advice, the BHS Education Committee has been able to use its contacts to arrange 'work experience' for members at reptile establishments around the UK.

The Education Committee members have found working with the YHC extremely rewarding, as they guide members through their metamorphosis into tomorrow's caring herpetologists.

All this and more - for only ú6.00 a year.

YHC Members Have:

* Taken part in public displays and lectures.
* Appeared in national newspapers and magazines.
* Visited zoos for 'behind the scenes' guided tours.
* Helped toads across roads.
* Helped in 'rescues' of Britain's common and most rare reptiles.
* Carried out conservation work to help rare reptiles and amphibians.
* Taken part in survey work.
* Raised money for conservation.
* Appeared in BBC TV programmes, including 'Blue Peter' and the 'Really Wild Show'.
* Been interviewed on national radio.
* Bred reptiles and amphibians in captivity.
* Found new friends with similar interests.
* Been on field trips around the UK.
* Met the country's leading herpetologists.
* Taken herpetological studies into schools and higher education.

The YHC is seeking adults to help run events around the UK. Please contact the Education Officer.

For details of membership please send an A5 SAE to:

Colin Fitzsimmons The Education Officer British Herpetological Society c/o Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY

Tel: 01202 692378 (Sunday evenings after 7.00 pm)

British Herpetological Society (BHS)

See also the Young Herpetologists Club.

Click to see the BHS Survey Form for Reptile and Amphibian Sightings.

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