Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) proudly co-hosts its annual Joint Scientific Meeting with the British Herpetological Society (BHS), one of the oldest and most prestigious societies of its kind in the world. Founded in 1947 by Britain’s leading herpetologists, the BHS continues to hold national learned status and remains a cornerstone of the herpetological community.

Scientific research underpins the conservation activities carried out by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. This includes the development of robust monitoring techniques on which the status of our species can be assessed.

Some of this research is carried out by students from Bournemouth University, and other institutions, who carry out work placements or dissertation projects Current students are investigating the effects of grazing on reptile habitats and smooth snake ecology. Such research is central to our core mission, so we aim to support other academic investigations where possible. Results of this research are disseminated widely. 

This year’s highly anticipated one-day event, held at the Bournemouth Natural Science Society and Museum. The conference has been running successfully for nearly two decades. The venue, brimming with personality and charm, is a favourite among attendees. It houses one of the largest fully catalogued palaeontological collections in Southern England, featuring fossils collected over many decades. These include specimens from now-inaccessible sites, as well as several type and figured specimens, making it a significant resource for researchers and enthusiasts alike.

As one of two conferences ARC co-hosts during the winter months, this year’s meeting welcomed new faces who presented ground-breaking herpetological research and findings from across the globe. The event attracted a diverse audience of professional ecologists, students, and dedicated volunteers.

A highlight of the day was a silent auction of books, which raised £157. The collection, donated by ARC supporters and in part by the estate of the late renowned herpetologist Tim Hallaway, included fascinating titles. Some books reflected an earlier era of herpetology, offering insights into historical practices such as the catching and keeping of native species.

Feedback from delegates was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the exceptional quality and diversity of the talks this year. The combination of academic research and practical insights ensured an engaging and enriching experience for all who attended.

This year’s presentations were:

• Unoccupied aerial vehicles as a tool to map lizard operative temperature in tropical environments presented by  Emma Higgins, University of South Wales
• Here be dragons: Analysing the perceptions of adders in Wales presented by Matt Cooke, ARC Natur am Byth Project Officer
• Understanding the relationship between people and their ponds presented by Alice Pawlik, University of Exeter
• How can genomics help UK herpetofauna conservation? presented by  Axel Barlow, Bangor University
• Are South Korean amphibians shrinking with climate change? presented by Emily Corden, Anglia Ruskin University
• Surveying for insular herpetofauna in Greece; from the Pindus alpine lakes to the uninhabited Aegean islands presented by Thomas Daftsios, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Download presentation abstracts

If you are interested in presenting your research at the ARC-BHS Joint Scientific Meeting in December 2025 please email: [email protected]