Snakes of the Northeast Conference
Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1, 2007

At this conference, scientists and expert naturalists joined forces to present research on and current questions about snakes found in the northeast region. Over 150 landowners, land managers, educators, scientists and naturalists attended this conference held at the University of Massachusetts Conference Center in Amherst.

Speakers noted that the status of snakes in the northeast has come into question due to increased habitat fragmentation that occurs with development. Undeveloped enclaves supporting populations of snakes are quickly being converted from natural habitats to managed landscapes for human use. This alteration forces a reluctant public to live in close proximity to snakes that are often viewed with disregard. When snakes venture into gardens, lawns, or parks, they are often seen as vermin and killed. And when crossing roads, snakes frequently are a target rather than something to avoid. On the other end of the scale, some people collect snakes depleting native populations. Speakers addressed the legal issues related to collection and protection the law provides for snakes.

The preservation of snakes is dependent upon knowledgeable landowners as well as an educated and understanding public. This conference provided an avenue for building needed awareness of snakes and their status. There is a need for additional studies to learn about the life histories and habitat requirements of snakes. Some studies lend themselves to citizen science programs. Speakers and conference attendees utilized the ample time provided during breaks and lunches to meet in small groups to discuss collaborative studies and engage in project planning.

Funding for the conference was provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 and the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, the Millers River Environmental Center, and the UMass Biology Department. This funding provided for student scholarships, reduced fees for educators, and the printing and distribution of information on snakes and land management strategies that support these populations.

We thank the following speakers for their participation;

James S. Andrews coordinator of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Project who spoke on the Distribution, Relative Abundance, and Conservation of Vermont Snakes as Reflected in the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Project.

Alvin R. Breisch, Amphibian and Reptile Specialist in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Endangered Species Unit, spoke on Observations on snakes from the New York Amphibian and Reptile Atlas.

William S. Brown, emeritus professor of biology at Skidmore College and keynote speaker, enlivened the evening with his talk on Timber Rattlesnakes: Long-term Biology and Conservation.

Tom French, Assistant Director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife responsible for the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, spoke on Rare Snake Conservation in Massachusetts.

Celine Goulet, graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, spoke on A Multi-Scale Evaluation of the Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Habitat Selection at the Northern Extent of its Range.

Christopher L. Jenkins, coordinator for Wildlife Conservation Society’s Sagebrush Steppe and Snake Conservation Initiatives, spoke on Wildlife Conservation Society’s Indigo Snake Conservation Initiative: A Model for Conserving Timber Rattlesnakes in the Northeast.

Glenn Johnson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at the State University of New York – Potsdam campus, spoke on Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes in New York State: Past, Present and Future.

Ellen Kiley, a Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, spoke about Snakes and the Law, specifically explaining the power of The Lacey Act, an umbrella statute that allows Fish and Wildlife Agents to assist the States and Foreign Countries with the enforcement of their laws.

Linda Krulikowski, an environmental educator, presented on the results of 25 years research and field work that resulted in her book, Snakes of New England, A Photographic and Natural History Study.

Michael Marchand, a wildlife biologist for the Nongame & Endangered Species Program at the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department who is currently serves on the NEPARC steering committee, presented on Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation – Joining forces to connserve reptiles and amphibians of the Northeast through a proactive inclusive partnership.

Jonathan Mays, a wildlife biologist for Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife where he is part of the Reptile, Amphibian, and Invertebrate Group, presented on the Home Range, Movement, and Habitat Ecology of the Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor) at the Northern Extent of its Range.

Pete Mirick, a wildlife biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and editor of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, spoke on Tracking the Eastern Rat Snake, highlighting his work on one population of the snakes on public land in an area of high public use.

Tom Palmer, naturalist, author of Landscape with Reptile and President of the Friends of the Blue Hills, spoke on his observations of rattlesnakes and the history of human snake interactions on this landscape near Boston.

Trevor Persons, currently working with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on various amphibian and reptile projects, spoke on the Distribution and Status of Snakes in Maine, with an Update on the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project.

Alan Richmond, a leading northeastern herpetologist and professor at the UMass Amherst Biology Department, introduced participants to the history of the study of snakes and our current understanding of snakes in his presentation, Serpentes: Maligned, Mismanaged, Misunderstood.

Kevin T. Shoemaker, a doctoral student at the Department of Environmental & Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), presented his current work, The Massasauga Rattlesnake at Cicero Swamp (New York, USA): A Case of Basking-site Limitation.

Paul Sievert, Assistant Unit Leader for the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (USGS), located in the Department of Natural Resources Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, presented his current work on the Growth of New England Snake Populations: A Comparative Approach.

Chuck Smith, is Assistant Professor-In-Residence in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, presented findings on Copperhead Snakes of the Connecticut River Valley.

Scott Smyers, who works for Oxbow Associates, Inc a consulting firm specializing in rare amphibians and reptiles, presented findings on his current work, Promoting intensive studies and biological monitoring of common snakes across a variety of ecotypes: How we can learn from variability of garter snakes, Thamnophis s. sirtalis, with preliminary results from Nantucket and the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.

Tom Tyning, a professional naturalist and writer, is currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Berkshire Community College. He gave two presentations, one on The Timber Rattlesnake in Western Massachusetts and the second on the issues facing Snakes of Western Massachusetts.