The Joint Scientific Meeting run by ARC and the British Herpetological Society (BHS) will be held in person at the Bournemouth Natural Science Society museum on Saturday 25th November 2023. This is a very popular one day conference with science and research based presentations from the UK and overseas. Highlights this year include talks on invasive species (in Florida and the UK), climate change impacts, the trade in wild herpetofauna and international perspectives on conservation herpetology from Canada and India! The day ends with a raffle which raises funds for various great herpetofauna related causes. Apt raffle prizes are very welcome.

In the unlikely event we need to move the event online due e.g. to changing health advice, the cost will reduce to £18 per person and the meeting will take place on Zoom, but we know many people are looking forward to meeting in person!

We look forward to seeing old and new faces at what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable meeting!

PROGRAMME

10:00-10:30	Arrival, registration and coffee
10:30-10:35	Welcome – John Wilkinson, ARC Science Programmes Manager
10:40-11:10	Invasion biology of the tokay gecko in southern Florida – Tommy Fieldsend, Florida International University
11:10-11:40	100 years of alpine newts in the UK - so what? – Sarah Ball, Institute of Zoology
11:40-12:20	Coffee
12:25-12:55	Malagasy amphibians – Angus Carpenter, University of Cumbria
12:55-13:15	The heat is on! Mild winter temperatures can benefit hibernating wall lizards – Miary Raselimanana, Bangor University
13:15-13:35	The axolotl Goldilocks zone: The evolution of neoteny in Ambystoma – Thom Lyons, Swansea University
13:35-14:45	Lunch
14:50-15:20	A 20-year tale of herpetofaunal conservation in Canada's arid desert – Sara Ashpole, St. Lawrence University, New York and co-Chair, Amphibian Specialist Group Canada
15:20-15:50	Adventures in Indian herpetology including the description of a new species of Gloydius – Stuart Graham, Bangor University and Ecoloyia
15:50-16:20	Raffle, Coffee and departure

SOCIAL EVENING

On FRIDAY 24 November there will be a chance for socialising over a meal and drinks at a local restaurant. Although we WILL NOT be taking payment for the meal online please indicate during registration if you are interested in attending. Details of arrangements for the meal, including venue, prices and payment arrangements will be sent to registered attendees only shortly after registration closes. Meal places are limited to around 30 people. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

EXHIBITORS / VENDORS & POSTERS

Exhibitors and vendors are welcome, by prior arrangement only. If you would like to have a stall or to present a poster or display please contact John Wilkinson on 07810 770560 or [email protected].

Click here for Parking and Accommodation information

Registration closes 5pm Friday 17th November 
Payments are non-refundable after Friday 10th November

Thank you to our sponsors: