[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Geomyda

How refreshing, to get a meeting which introduces its new president with a couple of really excellent presentations. The first, a reflection of the last four decades of amphibian conservation here in the UK. Prof Trevor Beebee took us through the work of a good number of members of the British Herpetological society and their colleagues in the Amphibian Reptile group and described the programmes involving the enigmatic Natterjack Toad, the Great crested Newt and the Northern Pool frog. This latter animal, effectively re introducing a species that was missed from our native amphibian fauna for centuries!
Trevor, was able to report good progress in all of these programmes.
As he handed over the reins as President of the BHS to Dr Richard Griffiths, he received a vote of thanks and a small presentation for his years of good stewardship of the Society.
Dr Griffiths, from the Durrell Institute of conservation and Ecology, started his tenure as the new president by another excellent illustrated talk "Challenges of captive breeding and conservation in a new millennium". This started out with a personal reflection on the roots he has in Herpetology, which I guess, mirrors many of us in the Audience. His childhood introduction to reptiles started as a "collector". No shame in providing the stimulus that is shared with so many of our modern natural history heroes, Gerald Durrell, David Attenborough, and even the young Chris Packham.
The education provided through the natural curiosity and wonder of keeping these cold blooded captive charges fuelled his early years and were in large part the steer for his academic career path: "We are a nation of collectors" he stated. His regular visits to The reptile house at ZSL and the hallowed halls of the Natural history museum provide many of us with memories of a similar path.
He then went on to describe the pillars of his own views of the challenges facing us in the coming decades;
1. Captive conservation programmes.
2. Re introduction.
3. Education.
4. Research.
His talk, was not only refreshing, but also in some senses visionary. Here it seems is a president who has a very broad understanding of the key areas that face the members of this old established and learned society. His presentation clearly sets out the challenges and it seems provides the agenda for a very healthy debate?
One further pleasant announcement was that the society had received a very generous interest free loan and substantial donation from a former president. How nice it is, to hear that the society is blessed with such worthwhile and inspiring people!
There is little more I can do to recommend that others join the British Herpetological Society and share the vision and other benefits.

http://www.thebhs.org/join.html;-)