Newsletter of
The Minnesota • 1 c o S February 2002
Upcoming Meeting The Vicepresidents report By Tony Gamble March General Meeting - Friday, March 1, 2002 White Snake Sale The main event of the March meeting is, of course, the Great White Snake Sale. This sale has, for the last sixteen years, been a great fundraiser for MHS. The proceeds keep the organization running smoothly and help fund items in the budget. It's also a great place to pick up cages, books, and herp related knickknacks (among other things ... ). Bid high! And don't forget to vote for your favorite pictures in the MHS photo contest and bumper sticker contest. On a related note, because the White Snake Sale is a rather unstructured event it's easy to lose track of kids (and adults) who may want to wander the halls. While we discourage this every year recent events at the University make it especially imported that we stay in our deSignated rooms and connecting hallways. On Saturday, January 26 the construction site for the new Mi~robial and Plant Genomics Research Center on the st. Paul campus was the scene of an arson fire. A domestic terrorist group, "Earth Liberation Front" (ELF), has
Volume 22 Number 2
claimed credit for setting the fire. While no people or animals were hurt, the fire did spread to nearby research laboratories and caused damage to facilities, equipment and the. loss of research. University police are working With state and federal law enforceme~t agencies to investigate the inCident. The University is in the process of reviewing and increasing securit.y measures on all campuses and IS asking everyone to be alert and take action to secure research and office areas. As a result, it's very important we stay where we're supposed to and not wander onto other floors In the building.
and hardwood forests. Those wishing to participate in th!s activity need to call the coordinator or sign up at the meeting. This is necessary as the number of volunteers may be limited to minimize habitat disturbance. Also, volunteers are required to attend a training session to learn how to properly search for these animals. Due to the fact that this survey will mainly involve wading in swamps, volunteers must provide their own chest waders. We will be camping at the park and will try to reserve the large group campground Thanks and I'll see you at the White or make other arrangements. Snake Sale!
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The second survey will be a general herpetofaunal inventory for Glacial Lakes State Park on June 22 and 23, 2002. This park is heavily prairie with scattered potholes. A large Friday, June 7th , 2002 - Bill number of volunteers will prove helpDuellmann ful as there is a good amount of ac~eage to survey. We will be trapping for turtles, including Blanding's and searching mainly for large constrictors. No special gear is needed. Camping will be arranged for this survey, as well. As before, please sign up at the herp meeting or call to . indicate your desire to participate. As reported in the December Issue of the Newsletter, MHS will again per- Further information will be provided form herpetological surveys. In fact, later. However, if you have any MHS will host two surveys! questions or other items or want to sign up and cannot attend a meeting, Our first survey will be at st. Croix please call the coordinator Randy State Park on May 18 and 19, 2002 Blasus at 952-9254237 or email at where we will primarily be looking for reblas@msn.com. Come have a Four-toed Salamanders. The park IS herpin' good time! very large and comprised of swamps
Upcoming Meetings: Friday, April 5th , 2002 -Chris Austin Friday, May 3rd , 2002 -John Weins
Field Surveys for 2002