Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) is a UK-based wildlife charity dedicated to the conservation of two important groups of animals. We do this through our staff and our volunteers, by working with partners and by influencing others through advocacy, education and increasing awareness. 

Reptiles and amphibians are an important part of our natural history and are deeply rooted in our culture, yet they are under threat both nationally and globally. Frogs, toads, newts, lizards, snakes and turtles all continue to decline. The habitats they use are degrading or disappearing altogether, putting these species at risk. In the coming years, many of these threats are set to increase. However, we are also seeing a rise in environmental awareness across society and a greater focus on the many benefits of nature to communities.

ARC is well positioned with our 35 year history, and committed to addressing the challenges that amphibians and reptiles face. Our science-based expertise and practical experience of habitat management, along with our passion, underpins our commitment to providing long-term benefits for amphibians and reptiles, for other wildlife and for people. 

Read Our Strategy to 2030 document for more information. 

Take a look at why we do what we do. 

What does ARC do? 

ARC manages 80 nature reserves, covering over 2,000 hectares across Britain. We work in partnership with a wide range of governmental, private and voluntary sector organisations, and by doing so achieve greater engagement with communities where we work. 

ARC primarily conserves native species of reptiles and amphibians through the habitat management and ownership of a number of nature reserves. We also work with other organisations who own and manage land, such as The Wildlife Trusts. 

Another element of our conservation strategy is to influence policy, for example on site safeguarding, habitat management and agri-environment schemes. We work with government agencies to ensure that the protected site series includes important areas for amphibians and reptiles, and that monitoring and management is effective.

For rarer species such as the sand lizard and northern pool frog, we lead on breeding programmes aiming to restore historic populations. 

The National Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Programme is ARC’s flagship portfolio of surveys and projects that, together, generate data to inform the conservation of amphibians and reptiles at a range of scales. Our species surveillance framework delivers robust, comprehensive information on the status of amphibians and reptiles throughout the UK, to safeguard their populations and the habitats on which they depend.

The programme is dynamic and collaborative. Some surveys have been running for more than 25 years, other initiatives are coordinated by shorter, fixed-term projects.

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation has a long history of working with the education sector, from its previous entity The Herpetological Conservation Trust. Our staff engage with many levels of the education system, from children and teachers in schools, through to disadvantaged young people and those with learning difficulties, to universities and higher education institutes.

We offer lesson plans, training courses, work experience, university placements, scientific meetings, conferences and employee action days as part of our outreach offering. 

ARC also produces literature freely accessible in the form of advice notes, habitat management handbooks, FAQs and more. 

Through all of the above, ARC aims to have a lasting impact into the future to ensure not only the survival, but the success of native amphibian and reptile species that are so often misunderstood.