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Friday, September 3rd, 2010
The Effects of Energy Development on Reptiles and Amphibians Print E-mail

Wyoming Midget Faded Rattlesnake Project:

Project Orianne has received funding from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to conduct research on midget faded rattlesnakes in Wyoming. Dr. Stephen Spear of Project Orianne will be working with Dr. Charles Peterson of Idaho State University, and Dr. Joshua Parker of the College of Southern Nevada, to gather information that will allow the Wyoming Game & Fish Department to better manage for this species in the face of ongoing energy development in the Green River Fisheries Management Region.  

 

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Midget faded rattlesnake, photo credit Dr. Josh Parker
In Wyoming, the midget faded rattlesnake, a species of greatest conservation concern, only occurs in a small portion of the southwest corner around the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This area is of high interest for oil, gas and wind development. In order to adequately manage for this species, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department needs additional information regarding specific midget faded rattlesnake habitats and locations. Project Orianne is consolidating and expanding upon previous midget faded rattlesnake studies, and will provide additional data required to protect this species during the course of energy development project in this region.

 

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Midget faded rattlesnake, photo credit Dr. Josh Parker
Project Orianne will combine landscape genetics, distribution modeling, and direct movement data to understand both key habitat features and factors influencing connectivity of midget faded rattlesnakes.  We will use previous movement and occurrence data collected by Dr. Josh Parker to attempt to create separate models of denning habitat, rookery and ecdysis habitat, and foraging habitat. Production of these models should allow us to point out key habitat needs for the snake, and then we will correlate genetic data with the habitat models to identify potential corridors or important areas for population connectivity that would also need to be protected to prevent population isolation. Thus, we can provide guidance for midget faded rattlesnake conservation in Wyoming.
 
 
 
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The Kaplan family and Project Orianne are fully dedicated to the conservation and restoration of eastern indigo snake populations. We will continue to tirelessly dedicate our time, energy, expertise, and resources to saving this “Emperor of the Forest”. As we move forward into 2010 and beyond, we envision our programs growing and creating a different landscape in the Southeastern Coastal Plain. A landscape where the forests are protected, prescribed fires in the growing season are common, indigo snakes hunt for rattlesnakes and rodents, and the people appreciate these resources that allow them to maintain their cultural connection to the land and their rural way of life. I have made this one of my personal missions. My staff and I are and will continue to dedicate everything we have into achieving our vision.

 

Christopher L. Jenkins, PhD,
Executive Director, Project Orianne


 

 

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 As human population growth and land development continue to increase, the need for conservation of our endangered reptiles and amphibians becomes critical. While some species that were once game animals or species that are generally considered more charismatic species receive overwhelming attention in the conservation arena, others, such as most reptiles and amphibians, are often overlooked. By focusing our efforts on the conservation of these species, we are changing this.

 

No matter what level of funding you wish to dedicate, Project Orianne guarantees that 100% of every dollar donated to our cause will go towards field conservation of threatened and endangered species. Together, we can continue our efforts of conserving eastern indigo snakes and rare reptile and amphibian populations on a global scale.

 

We sincerely thank you for your donation; we appreciate and respect your dedication to conservation.

 

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