The HERP Project’s Herpetological Research Experience (HRE)
Since 2007, we have spent one week each summer and had several follow-up days later in the year collecting and sharing data on local populations of reptiles and amphibians.
The 2014 HRE program will run from June 15 – June 20, 2014 at Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center and from July 13 – July 18, 2014 at Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center. The program is free to all participants thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation. In order to participate in this program, students must submit a completed application. Applications will be reviewed and approximately 30 students for each location will be selected. On the application you will indicate your preference for either the Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center or the Rockfish location. There are 2 ways to apply. Click here to apply online (preferred). Additionally, the application may be downloaded as a PDF – HRE 2014 Application or as a .doc – HRE 2014 Application
The HERP Project’s 2014 Student Research Assistant (SRA)
Mark/Recapture Study of Local Frogs and Toads
In the summer of 2014, SRAs, under the direction of two HERP Project staff members, will spend their mornings surveying appropriate habitat at the HRE site for frogs and toads. Together, they will process captured frogs and toads, and before release, mark the frogs and toads so that they can be identified upon recapture. SRAs will learn local frog and toad calls and will learn how to identify local frog and toad species. Recordings of calls made at night will also be analyzed.
This is a yearlong project and SRAs will be expected to attend several follow-up days. Additionally, they will be given preparatory activities to complete before arriving at the program in the summer.
This will be the first year of our mark/recapture study of local frogs and toads, and we are excited to partner with our SRAs to get this study off the ground. We are looking for six to eight SRAs to join us at each location. If you are interested, and attended one of our programs in 2012 or 2013, consider applying to be an SRA. [However, you are ineligible to apply if you are a senior in high school this spring.]
You will need to complete our 2014 student application. Your essay should reflect your knowledge of, and interest in, North Carolina amphibians. Your essay should also indicate your strengths, abilities and interest in working with a small group of student researchers.
NOTE: This is a new model for SRA work. SRAs will NOT work with individual HERP Project faculty on other projects. They will instead work as a small group of researchers under the direction of two Herp Project staff. There will NOT be a focus on documentary film making this year. There will be opportunities for optional camp activities but also opportunities to continue work on the mark/recapture study of local frogs and toads on selected afternoons and evenings as designated by Herp Project staff.