About NEPARC
“Like the resource it seeks to protect, wildlife conservation must be dynamic, changing as conditions change, seeking always to become more effective.” – Rachel Carson
Photos credits from left to right: Pine Barrens Treefrog by Ellen Pehek, Northern Red-bellied Snake by Charlie Eichelberger, and Eastern Painted Turtle by Adrienne Fortune
What is NEPARC?
Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (NEPARC) is a regional working group of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC). Both the regional group (NEPARC) and national group (PARC) are dedicated to the conservation of herpetofauna – reptiles and amphibians – and their habitats. The Northeast region includes: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
What is the organizational structure of NEPARC?
The driving force of NEPARC is the working groups, which are formed to work on specific projects. Please view the individual working group webpages of this website to see what NEPARC working groups are currently active, what they are working on, and who the group’s leaders are. To join a working group, contact the group’s leader.
NEPARC is managed by two co-chair positions, each serving a two-year term. The co-chairs are responsible for representing NEPARC to national PARC and chairing the Steering Committee. In addition, NEPARC has an Editorial Board. See below for more information on responsibilities and membership of these committees.
NEPARC Steering Committee
The Steering Committee assists co-chairs with strategic planning and communicating with working groups. The Steering Committee is composed of members representing the various partners (state and federal agencies, academia, and other organizations). The Steering Committee members are elected during our annual meetings. The current Steering Committee members are:
- Andy Adams (Susquehannock Wildlife Society and Harford Community College)
- Jay Drasher (Aqua-Terra Environmental Ltd)
- Amylynn Ephraim (AmeriCorps member, US Fish & Wildlife Service)
- Lori Erb (non-voting member, NEPARC website manager, Mid-Atlantic Center for Herpetology and Conservation)
- Meghan Hussey (non-voting member, NEPARC Social Media Specialist)
- Kathy Gipe (Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission)
- Luke Groff (NEPARC co-chair and Listserv manager, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources)
- James Julian (PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)
- Mary Beth Kolozsvary (NEPARC treasurer, Siena College)
- Jessica Meck (NEPARC co-chair, Smithsonian Institute)
- Pam Meier (2023 NEPARC meeting host, Connecticut Turtle Rehabilitator)
- Nate Nazdrowicz (Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife)
- Kevin Oxenrider (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources)
- Noelle Rayman-Metcalf (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
- Beth Schlimm (MD Department of Natural Resources)
- Brian Zarate (NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife)
For more information, please email neparc@northeastparc.org.
NEPARC Editorial Board
The Editorial Board is responsible for review and approval of proposed NEPARC products. Working groups submit draft products to the Editorial Board for review. Once a product has been approved, it can be distributed as a NEPARC and/or PARC product. Working groups should submit draft documents to the Editorial Board chairs, Glenn Johnson, who will facilitate the review process and act as liaisons between the steering committee, editorial board, and working group.
- Glenn Johnson (Ed Board chair, SUNY Potsdam)
- Andrea Chaloux (New York Natural Heritage Program)
- Kiley Briggs (Orianne Society)
- Miranda Figueras (Hofstra University)
- Susan Jewell (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Glenn Johnson (Ed Board Chair, SUNY Potsdam)
- Liz Johnson (American Museum of Natural History – Center for Biodiversity and Conservation)
- James Julian (PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)
- Mary Beth Kolozsvary (Siena College)
- Tom Langen (Clarkson University)
- Ariana Newll (New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation)
- Noelle Rayman-Metcalf (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
- Charles (CJ) William Robinson Jr. (SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry)
- Angelena Ross (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)
- Angela Trenkle (Amphibian Foundation Certified Master Herpetologist)
NEPARC Social Media
- Meghan Hussey (Social Media Specialist)
- Noelle Rayman-Metcalf (Social Media Co-Manager, USFWS)
What is PARC?
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) is an inclusive partnership dedicated to the conservation of herpetofauna–reptiles and amphibians–and their habitats. Our membership comes from all walks of life and includes individuals from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, museums, pet trade industry, nature centers, zoos, energy industry, universities, herpetological organizations, research laboratories, forest industries, and environmental consultants. Visit the PARC website for more information.