The Orianne Society

The primary focus of the Science Initiative is to conduct research that either benefits the conservation and management of imperiled reptiles and amphibians or that increases our ecological knowledge of these groups. Overall, reptiles and amphibians are often understudied when compared to other animal groups, which often makes it challenging to implement meaningful conservation and management actions. Science projects cover a wide variety of topics, but often focus on understanding population demography, filling in key data gaps in the ecology of target species, and conducting spatial analyses of movement and habitat use. Many projects are designed to produce specific tools that can be used by management agencies or other partners to help make future conservation decisions. We strive to distribute the work conducted in the Science Initiative to a broad and diverse audience through social media posts, blog posts, presentation to technical and non-technical audiences, and through peer-reviewed publications.

The primary focus of the Communication Initiative is the strategic use of communications for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. We communicate to scientific, political and other concerned individuals the current state and future needs for conservation efforts to save the endangered, threatened and imperiled species. Using multiple modes of communication - social media, blogs, campaigns, audio-visual and education outreach - we also work to effectively engage, impact and inspire a growing audience. Orianne runs multiple social media platforms, a website, online seminars and produces a podcast and video documentaries. For some species, particularly snakes, providing information to the public regarding the importance of these species is one of the most critical conservation actions that can be implemented. We involve the public in scientific and conservation projects - this provides a direct link between our projects and citizens interested in conserving reptiles, amphibians and environments. It allows us to collect important data from a wider area than we would be able to by only using Orianne staff and, at the same time, enhance the participants' conservation understanding. We organize in-person outreach events that provide an opportunity to show participants what we do on a day-to-day basis to survey and conserve these species. This allows us to get out into the field with participants to educate them and to collect valuable data. We also organize educational presentations at schools and nature centers, where we hope that meeting our captive outreach animals and learning about conservation will inspire the next generation of scientists. Our ultimate goal is to make a difference by bringing reptiles, amphibians and the habitats they need into the conservation spotlight events provide an opportunity to show participants what we do on a day-to-day basis to survey and conserve these species, including participating in land restoration. Our place-based events allow us to get out into the field with the participants to educate them and to collect valuable data. We conduct specific projects on a smaller scale that, due to their size or location, have not been designated as a separate major program. Such projects are included as part of Communications, Education and Other.

The Conservation Action Initiative focuses primarily on restoring habitat for imperiled species of reptile and amphibian through boots-on-the-ground conservation and inventory and monitoring, especially on private lands. Most of our efforts are based within the Longleaf Savannas in the Southeast and Great Northern Forests in the Northeast. Within those landscapes, we work to restore critical habitat for priority species, including Indigo Snakes, Gopher Tortoises, Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, and several species of rare freshwater turtles. In the Longleaf Savannas, we restore longleaf pine habitat, on which many endangered species depend on, through prescribed fire and groundcover restoration on private and public lands, including our nearly 3,000-acre Longleaf Stewardship Center. In the Great Northern Forests, we identify critical habitat and site-specific threats to priority species, and then work with private landowners to find restoration strategies that balance landowner needs with wildlife conservation.