Recently, ARC held a three day long "Reptiles and Amphibians of Dorset" Tour with NatureTrek. Here's what the participants got up to, told by Dorset Field Officer, James. Reptiles and Amphibians of Dorset Tour Day 1: Despite the consistent heavy drizzle and temperatures of 8°c, we headed out to ARC Trust's Creech nature reserve this afternoon in search of any species braving the weather. After looking at bog beacon, devil's matchstick fungus, sundew, Dorset heather and finding two adder sloughs, a beautiful slow-worm made an appearance at the last minute to everyone's delight. The evening tour ..read more

An exciting restoration project between Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust will help to boost numbers of great crested newt at Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve. (Darllen yn Gymraeg) A network of six new ponds were created in February this year, which will help to restore and create new foraging and breeding habitats for the species.  Last year, four existing ponds were also restored on the reserve. Great crested newts are a European Protected Species and their eggs, breeding sites and resting places are protected by law. They ..read more

At ARC, we’re keen to provide opportunities to people from a wide range of backgrounds (i.e. more than just Ecology and Conservation students). Recently, ARC hosted Kiril, an IT student, to do a placement with our IT Manager, Johnny, for a month. Kiril had this to say about the placement:   “When I was looking for a work placement my main goal was to work for an IT company. Eventually, I received no responses, so I chose a company from the college work placement list. I had a choice between ARC and a few others. I did not expect a lot, working for a small charity. After a month of working ..read more

Last weekend (6th & 7th April) were the dates set for this year's Big Green Hike. An amazing and inspiring story has emerged of a young Skye Kentwright, who decided to raise funds for amphibians and reptiles in the UK! Skye managed to walk an incredible 8km and has raised over £600 - smashing her goal of £500. Skye's mother, Hollie, recalls the details:  I saw the Big Green Hike advertised on Instagram at the start of the year and asked Skye if she would like to take part. She immediately said yes and I went through with her the different environmental charities that she could raise m ..read more

At ARC, we’re keen to provide opportunities to people from a wide range of backgrounds (i.e. more than just Ecology and Conservation students). Recently, ARC hosted Kiril, an IT student, to do a placement with our IT Manager, Johnny, for a month. Kiril had this to say about the placement:   “When I was looking for a work placement my main goal was to work for an IT company. Eventually, I received no responses, so I chose a company from the college work placement list. I had a choice between ARC and a few others. I did not expect a lot, working for a small charity. After a month of working ..read more

ARC along with five Environmental partners are today (Friday 15 March) celebrating an award from the Government’s Species Survival Fund to help halt species decline and restore habitats in the New Forest. The New Forest is a world capital for wildlife underpinned by an ancient tradition of free-roaming commoning animals. However, the New Forest is not immune to changes that have seen habitats lost and species decline. The funding will see partner organisations and landowners working together to enhance 250 hectares of land for nature across 25 sites – the equivalent of 350 football pitches.&nb ..read more

Something that happens only rarely occurs ‘once in a blue moon’. ARC's Pool Frog Recovery Project Manager details why this celestial phenomenon is so crucial to the UK's rarest amphibian. Astronomically, there are two definitions of blue moon, but the most commonly used refer to the second of two full moons occurring in the same month. The next "seasonal" blue moon falls on the 19 August this year (2024). Traditionally some cultures have named full moons marking different times of the year.  A quick Google search reveals that the full moon in August has been named sturgeon moon in North A ..read more

Earlier this month ARC hosted a visit from Swedish pool frog expert, Per Sjögren-Gulve. In the 1980s, Per completed his PhD study at Uppsala University, Sweden, on the pool frog, and he has been involved in the research and conservation of the species ever since.  Swedish pool frogs are part of the genetically distinct northern form of the species, which includes frogs that used to live in England.  After the pool frog became extinct in England in the 1990's, it was reintroduced by importing frogs from Sweden in 2005. Per visited the two sites at which northern pool frogs have b ..read more

Written by Snakes in the Heather Public Engagement and Education Officer, Owain Masters.  Updates from the National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, Snakes in the Heather.  Snakes in the Heather has slithered to an end!   On behalf of the whole Snakes in the Heather (SitH) project team, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part – joining our events and activities and volunteering your time through Citizen Science surveys and habitat management volunteer days. A big thank you also to the project partners and landowners for their continue ..read more

International Womens Day (IWD) is 8 March 2024. IWD seeks to celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity. At ARC, we want to uplift our staff and make sure their voices are heard.  Click on the pictures to hear personal stories from some of ARC's members of staff this International Women's Day.  DR RACHAEL COOPER-BOHANNON: Scotland Projects Coordinator My conservation journey began as far back as I can remember, fuelled by my Dad’s passion for wildlife. I was born in Zambia but we moved to South Africa and we lived close ..read more