Amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, efts, olms and caecilians) are an incredibly diverse and interesting group. This course explores the taxonomy of the major types of amphibians; defining each group and the characters that unite them before examining their biodiversity and adaptations.

This course is a deep dive into the biology, morphology, physiology, biogeography, and evolution of amphibians. Topics such as reproduction, metamorphosis, functional morphology, freeze tolerance and phenotypic plasticity will be covered in splendid detail, while examining questions like ‘Is that frog or a toad?’, ‘a salamander or a newt?’ and ‘What do amphibians do in the winter?’

Special emphasis will be placed on the amphibians native to the metro Atlanta region.

The course is intended for adults and assumes a basic understanding of Biology and Comparative Anatomy, but are not requirements. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia (Jensen, et al) is suggested reading. All required course materials are available for free download to students.

The class takes place over 8 Saturday afternoons; each Saturday class is 3 hours long (2:30-5:30PM); basically 3 regular classes in succession each Saturday.

Reptiles and Wine?! What could go wrong? Join us for an extremely hands-on approach to learning about this fascinating group of animals. Heck, we'll even get to know some amphibians too! Frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards and snakes will be present to explore. Critters & Cabernet meets the first Friday of every month at the Amphibian Foundation.

Your ticket includes access to the event and one drink. Additional drinks may be purchased on site. Discount available when purchasing the full 6 month series. AF members receive additional discounts.

Free parking is available on site.

Join Keep Roswell Beautiful at Riverside Park on April 27, 2019 for our first Earth Month celebration! We hope this free event will be educational, inspiring, and inclusive as we celebrate the natural world.

6:00-7:00pm Family friendly educational activities from the Chattahoochee Nature Center, Atlanta Audubon Society,Georgia Mineral Society, The Amphibian Foundation, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, and National Park Service. Learn what concrete steps you can take to protect our species and our earth.

7:15-7:45pm Speakers from Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North, Roswell Presbyterian Church, and Roswell Community Masjid will share how their faith values stewardship of the environment and lead us in giving thanks to the land, air, and water that sustain us.

7:45-8:45pm Walk with us in our twilight lantern parade! Everyone is welcome to participate; we just ask that you bring something that glows, twinkles, or shines! (Please, no fire or flames!). The parade route runs from Riverside Park to Don White Park and back (about a mile round trip).

We encourage you to create your lantern out of natural or reused/recycled materials. Or, join us at one of our Spring lantern building workshops and bring your creation with you to the parade!
https://www.keeproswellbeautiful.org/earth-day/

A few items of note:
- PARKING IS LIMITED! In addition to the lots at the park, additional parking is available along Riverside Road and at Don White Park. In the spirit of Earth Day, we encourage our visitors to carpool or walk if you live nearby!
- St. Andrews Catholic Church is graciously opening their parking lot to us at 6:30pm. Please DO NOT PARK at the church before 6:30.
- Other than Steel City Pops popsicles, there will be no food vendors at this event. Feel free to bring a picnic (in reusable containers!) to enjoy at the park.
- The lantern parade route will wind along Riverside Road on the walking path. The road will NOT be closed to traffic. At Don White, we will take a wooded trail back towards the park. This trail is not paved and can be muddy at times.

For more information about this event, contact info@keeproswellbeautiful.org or 770-641-3742.

The Master Herpetologist Program is offered at the Amphibian Foundation and instructed jointly between the Foundation, Zoo Atlanta's Herpetology Department, GA DNR and the Orianne Society.

This intensive class provides an introduction to herpetology and equips participants with amphibian and reptile identification skills and general knowledge of frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards and snakes — their life histories, habitat requirements and biodiversity.

Instructors: Mark Mandica, Executive Director, Amphibian Foundation; Robert Hill, Assistant Curator of Herpetology, Zoo Atlanta; Joe Mendelson, Director of Research, Zoo Atlanta and Adjunct Associate Professor at GA Tech; Chris Jenkins, CEO of the Orianne Society; Grover Brown, University of Southern Mississippi; and John Jensen, State Herpetologist for Georgia DNR and editor of our course text book.

Course content includes classification and identification of amphibians and reptiles, 'herping' equipment, frog calls, attracting amphibians/reptiles and backyard wildlife habitat, anatomy and physiology, ecology, behavior, breeding migration, and conservation. This course is a deep dive into the world of amphibians and reptiles, with special focus placed on the critters of the southeast.

The course fee includes lectures and 2 field trips, a copy of Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia (Jensen, et al), a certificate, and a graduation luncheon. Throughout the year, Master Herpers may be offered early bird or discounted registration for workshops and other reptile and amphibian events in and around Georgia.

The course meets every Saturday from 10 am until 3pm (with an hour break for lunch). The class is intended for adults, but there is no age limit. Please contact us before registering someone under the age of 18.