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  • Benefits of our work
  1. About us

Benefits of our work

ARC conserves amphibians and reptiles, and the habitats on which they depend, to protect them for future generations. As a small charity with 30 staff, we own 24 sites, manage 80 sites, and work with around 1,000 volunteers each year through opportunities that enhance their lives. ARC patrons include the TV presenters Chris Packham and Iolo Williams.

You are probably very familiar with the primary benefit of ARC’s work, as outlined in the table below. However, our activities also have a series of secondary benefits that express the true breadth and value that you are adding to society as a supporter. We want you to feel great about these secondary benefits as well!

Primary Benefit

Summary

Conserving Biodiversity

Practical conservation, monitoring and training enables amphibians and reptiles to thrive. We run projects aimed at supporting particular species in need, such as natterjack toads, pool frogs and sand lizards. The benefits go far beyond the amphibian and reptile species themselves, which play a vital role in functioning ecosystems and overall biodiversity.

Secondary Benefits

Summary

Helping to Reduce Climate Change

Amphibian and reptile habitats, in particular ponds, act as carbon sinks, absorb carbon dioxide from the air, filter air pollutants, improve air quality, and help to reduce the risk of flooding.

Contributing to Physical and Mental Health

Physical and mental health benefits of outdoor exercise are well understood scientifically and psychologically, and promoted by GPs and health professionals. Our volunteer programmes encourage people to become more active through practical conservation work at heathlands, ponds and other amphibian and reptile habitats.

Maintaining the Potential for Scientific and Medical Knowledge

We are losing amphibian and reptile species faster than scientists can learn from them to advance scientific and medical knowledge for human benefit. For example, lizard tails are able to partially regenerate in ways that could be further researched to understand the potential benefits to medical advances, for conditions such as arthritis and spinal cord injuries. ARC focuses on conserving the species in the wild in the UK.

Enhancing Education and Employment

Many of our projects work with schools to provide outdoor learning activities. Our training courses provide volunteers with skills that can benefit them when seeking employment in the conservation sector and beyond.

Improving People’s Outdoor Experience

Amphibians and reptiles play a role in enabling people to enjoy outdoor spaces and nature for recreation and mental wellbeing. We ensure that accessible sites are safe for the public to enjoy. Amphibians and reptiles are great species for having direct contact with nature.

Published: 26th July, 2018

Updated: 8th February, 2022

Author: Kim Boughey

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Latest

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    Technical reports and notes

    ARC staff work on a range of scientific and technical projects to help conserve amphibians and reptiles.

  • Scientific papers

    Scientific papers

    ARC staff and Trustees are involved in important scientific research to produce evidence that will assist the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

  • GIS & spatial modelling

    GIS & spatial modelling

    At ARC we use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and statistical approaches to model at both the landscape and national scales.

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    On this page we provide general advice on the design, execution and analysis of amphibian and reptile surveys for a range of scales and purposes.

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    We work with government, wildlife charities, landowners, scientists and others when we undertake reintroductions, translocations and captive breeding.

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    Where to find slow-worms (legless lizard), how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

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    where to find adders, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Smooth newt

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    Where to find the smooth newt, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Vacancies

    Vacancies

    Come and work for us! See our current vacancies.

  • Report your sightings!

    Report your sightings!

    Let us know which amphibians and reptiles you've seen

  • Common lizard

    Common lizard

    Where to find common lizards, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Grass snake

    Grass snake

    Where to find grass snakes, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

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    Where to find the great crested newt, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Frogs & toads FAQs

    Frogs & toads FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions about... frogs and toads!

Tag cloud

amphibian conservation amphibians biological recording citizen science community science conservation England mobile app monitoring reptile conservation reptiles Scotland survey hub surveying UK Wales
ARC eNews

ARC eNews

Sign up and receive our e-Newsletter Read more

Published: 27th April, 2017

Updated: 18th November, 2021

Author: Kim Boughey

Herpetofauna Workers Meeting 2022 - Part 2

Herpetofauna Workers Meeting 2022 - Part 2

HWM2022 part 2 will be held in person at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, North Wales on the 18th and 19th of June. Read more

Start: 18th June, 2022 at 9:30am

End: 19th June, 2022 at 4:30pm

Published: 29th April, 2022

Updated: 19th May, 2022

Author: Kim Boughey

Location: Venue Cymru , Penrhyn Crescent, Llandudno, LL30 1BB

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Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
744 Christchurch Road
Boscombe
Bournemouth
Dorset BH7 6BZ

ARC Ecological Services Ltd
744 Christchurch Road
Boscombe
Bournemouth
Dorset BH7 6BZ

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The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust is a registered charity (England & Wales no. 1130188, Scotland no.SC044097).
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