The Section's Taylor Series Speaker Event was March 29th in Middlebury.

Herpetologist Jim Andrews spoke to the audience on "Selected Reptiles and Amphibians of the Central Green Mountain National Forest"   where he discussed the identification, natural history, distribution, and conservation of the salamanders, frogs, snakes, and turtles that we are most likely to encounter in the Green Mountains of Central Vermont.

About our Taylor Series Speaker: James S. Andrews graduated from UVM with a BS in Environmental Studies and later received his master’s degree in Biology from Middlebury College. He has been working full time as a herpetologist/wildlife biologist in Vermont since 1990. He has worked closely with state, federal, and private agencies; and individuals on herptile conservation throughout Vermont.

He currently serves as chair of the Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group to the Vermont Endangered Species Committee. He also coordinates the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas and serves as a research and teaching associate with Vermont Family Forests in Bristol, Vt. In addition, he teaches courses on Vermont reptiles, amphibians, trees, and birds, at a variety of institutions. He also runs herpetological research and education projects and provides independent consulting and herpetological survey.

Jim is a founding member of the Salisbury Conservation Commission and has been compiler and organizer of the Middlebury Christmas Bird Count since its inception. In addition, Jim has been working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation to help minimize the impacts of transportation infrastructure and traffic on wildlife. Conservation of Vermont's wildlife and wildlife habitat through education, field experience, and science is a common theme running through all his activities.