SSAR 2015

The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, together with Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and the herpetological societies of Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, the Center for North American Herpetology, and the International Society for the History and Bibliography of Herpetology will hold a joint meeting from July 30-August 2, 2015 on the beautiful and centrally located campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

All scientific sessions will be held in the Kansas Union, which is adjacent to the KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, the setting of more than a century of research and graduate education in herpetology. The intimate campus setting will facilitate personal and friendly interactions while moderating fees for registration and lodging.

This unique campus format meeting will include oral and poster presentations, silent and live auctions, vendor displays, student social, symposia, and special lectures provided by David Hillis (Keynote), Harry W. Greene (Plenary) and Miguel Vences (President’s Travelogue) and Tyrone Hayes (PARC Special Lecturer).

Conference activity highlights include:
• Redesigned audiovisual shows arranged by David Dennis and Eric Juterbock
• Reception honoring distinguished senior herpetologists, allowing students to interact personally with luminaries in the field
• The Herpetological Quiz, arranged by the graduate students at UT Arlington and KU, with prizes for winners
• Guided tours of herpetological collections and newly renovated laboratories in the Biodiversity Institute
• Tour of the Fitch Reservation at the KU Biological Field Station and Reserves, led by George Pisani
• Special presentation for the International Society for the History and Bibliography of Herpetology featuring author Sally Haines of the KU Spencer Research Library
• Display of live Kansas herps with photographic set-ups
• Exploring non-academic careers in herpetology: a lunch time event for students hosted by PARC