Skip to main navigation

Herp Atlas Project

What are Herps?

The word "herp" is short for herpetofauna, which is the general term for amphibians and reptiles as a group.

What is the Herp Atlas Project?

The Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project (Herp Atlas) was a ten year survey that was designed to document the geographic distribution of New York State's herpetofauna.

What was the Purpose?

In order to monitor changes in populations and to make sound management decisions, we must have a reliable information base from which to work.

Herp Atlas Interim Data

Using the Herp Atlas data (1990-1998) we have produced a map that shows our progress by indicating the number of species reported in each of the 979 survey blocks (7.5' topographic quadrangles.)

Newsletters

To provide information to our volunteers, a series of newsletters have been published. These contain articles on our progress, how to identify species, atlasing techniques and other items of interest.

Acknowledgments

There are numerous organizations and individuals whose financial contributions and support helped to launch the Atlas Project. In addition to funding from New York State, support for the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project was provided by the following individuals and organizations:

• Biodiversity Research Institute
• Hudson River Estuary Program
• Institute of Ecosystem Studies
• Mohonk Preserve
• New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University
• New York Natural Heritage Program
• New York Turtle & Tortoise Society
• Return a Gift to Wildlife
• Sabin Conservation Fund
• Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
• State University of New York at Cortland
• The Wildlife Society - New York Chapter
• Upstate Herpetological Association
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid to Endangered Species (Section 6)
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partnerships for Wildlife
• Harvey and Bernice Weinstein

We would like to thank the following individuals for the use of their photographs:

Alvin R. Breisch - Red Salamander
Andrew T. Clay - Pickerel Frog
Ed McGowan - Timber Rattlesnake
John W. Ozard - Box Turtle

More about Herp Atlas Project :

• Frequently Asked Questions About the Herp Atlas Project - The Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project (Herp Atlas) was a ten year survey that was designed to document the geographic distribution of New York State's herpetofauna.
• Herp Atlas Project Newsletter Archives - New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project newsletters 1995-1999.
• Species of Salamanders Found in New York - Salamanders of New York and their distribution.
• Species of Toads and Frogs Found in New York - Toads and Frogs of New York and their distribution.
• Species of Turtles Found in New York - Turtles of New York and their distribution.
• Species of Lizards and Snakes Found in New York - Lizards and snakes of New York and their distribution.

• 
• Related Links:
• • NYSDEC Project Support
  • Return a Gift to Wildlife
  • New York Natural Heritage Program
  • Hudson River Estuary Program
• Offsite Links:
• • Websites of Other Sponsors
  • Biodiversity Research Institute
  • Institute of Ecosystem Studies
  • Mohonk Preserve
  • New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
  • New York Turtle & Tortoise Society
  • Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
  • Cortland Herpetology Connection
  • The Wildlife Society - New York Chapter
  • Upstate Herpetological Association
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid to Endangered Species (Section 6)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partnerships for Wildlife
• Contact for this Page:
• NYSDEC
  Bureau of Wildlife
  625 Broadway
  Albany, NY 12233-4754
  518-402-8919
  email us