‘This weekend I was delighted to attend the South East ARG Regional Meeting at the Darwin Conference Centre, here are the University of Kent. The meeting had been arranged by Amphibian and Reptile Groups UK (ARG UK), and its representative groups from the region, bringing everyone together to share ideas, information, and updates on the projects everyone is involved with. Each ARG focusses on the voluntary conservation of amphibians and reptiles at the county level, so this was a great opportunity for some more linked-up thinking. The last time such a meeting took place was in February 2020, right before the world got turned upside down. It was therefore great to see so many familiar faces, catch-up over tea and biscuits, as well as meeting many new people too. The ARGs foster a strong community spirit, and this was clear at the SE ARG Regional Meeting. While touching on the challenges we’ve all faced over the past couple of years, with a strong sense of positivity and optimism throughout.
There were a range of wonderful talks from how the reintroduction of bison to Blean and Thorndon Woods may be beneficial to reptiles, how ARG UK has been engaging offenders in His Majesty’s Prisons, to an update from DICE PhD Student Suzie Simpson on her Turtle Tally Project. The overarching theme of the day was rewilding, although some of the talks delivered deviated from this slightly, but remained relevant.
‘Overall, it was a great day with some important reflections on how as conservationists and ecologists, we should engage with new and unconventional audiences about our work.’
It always feels like you’re preaching to the choir at these sorts of events, but it is important to try to get the public as enthused about amphibians and reptiles as much as we all are. This is no easy task, as they’re often feared or misunderstood. However, there was plenty of evidence throughout to suggest that given the right support, the general public are receptive to changing their opinions on these sometimes maligned animals, instead championing them.
Conferences like this are a great opportunity for students and other members of the public to attend, to learn more about what is going on within their local area, and to meet the people carrying out such important work. Most of us are very approachable, and more than happy to tell you all about our current activities and why they matter. Thankfully, the Regional Meeting was subsidised for students, giving undergraduates and postgraduates the opportunity to attend. This is especially important to help build those relationships that are so vital in facilitating the work conducted by the ARGs, and other conservation organisations. For those students that did attend, hopefully they made some new connections that may lead to volunteering or employment opportunities in the future.’
Steve Allain is studying for a PhD in Conservation Biology