Herping Virginia
Hello all,
A project we have been working on for a while is a way to help educate herpers and nature lovers alike as well as using Cit-sy to build a better understanding of the herp world. After almost a year of discussion, planning, and work we have finally launched a new website called "Herping Virginia". I know what you are thinking, isn't there the Virginia Herp Society? Well, yes. So, how are you different? Basically, we plan iNaturalist data to build maps, annual reports, and bar-charts. VHS does a great job with their scientific contributions, but they use very little iNat data. We also hope to make our herp information easier for beginners to digest. I love the degree of scientific data on VHS and it definitely serves its place, but it is very intimidating for new herpers. This is not just VHS, but field guides and other sources use a lot of terminology such as SVL, superlabials, and subcaudal that a lot of new herpers do not understand. We want to explain this for new comers, while teaching ethical herping strategies. We are currently still building the site, and in addition to our herp profiles, similar species profiles, we are adding habitat guides by region, safe techniques, and potential dangers to watch out for. Our site is incorporating trip reports for certain destinations, so one can figure out which sites near them are good to herp and how to safely and effectively herp them. We are giving you ways to search for herps by regions, so you can be prepared for what to expect.
Who knows what else the future brings, but we plan on continuing to fill this niche to aide herps and herpers alike.
Herping Virginia: https://www.herpingva.org/
Enjoy!
