Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Educate the people!!!!!!
when this summer is over we will have done at least a dozen reptile education programs for local libraries, clubs,county parks and even the local zoo.
before you think hey a great way to get paid, think again we only just started charging a fee of 35.00 for each program to cover our cost.
we would rather charge nothing and still do for small schools with small budgets.
we have never left one of these programs, that have had over 300 in attendance, without having several people comment that they have learned so much about snakes(we focus on what people fear the most).
Get involved or help support someone who is willing to get up and speak.
and if you do know your facts, and kindly show people the truth when they swear a myth they have been taught all of their life is the truth.
you will go a long way in keeping ignorance from interupting your hobby.
Hoosier Reptiles

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We have been doing the libraries for 4 years now. I think it is helping. We always have more requests than we can honor.

Cindy
Iguana FIRST

If we herpers dont climb out of our arrogant selves and get along with each other and begin to teach the world the truth about snakes as pets and as an asset in the wild then we will have not one other person to blame when we can no longer have or sell herps in many parts of the country.
it so makes me sick to see on other forums (even here on K.S.) the " I am the king of snakes" of one sort or another and the bashing of others to further there own income possibilities.
let history and the bird people show us what happens when we dont help each other.
i'm not talking about giving trade secrets here, its just that the guys who profit the most should have the loudest voices ( in a possitive, inteligent, polite manner) however it is normaly the small hobbiest who is out there on their time off work, doing the education programs and fighting the battles.
remember every time you ask the government to solve a problem you have you also give up freedom.
we should police our ranks ourselves and kick out the idiots who cant follow the rules and or laws!
so glad to share this with all of you.
Chris
Hoosier Reptiles

We have to show people that there are people who care for their reptiles. It is the irresponsible who bring everyone's reputation down.

I am trying to get a bill passed on my state to ban these carnivals from giving iguanas and turtles to kids as prizes. These are the "lowest humans" in my opinion and I think this fight should come from the reptile community.

Even if you dont care for people who hunt(which i do) we could learn alot from hunters and fishermen, they are the ones who pay for the conservation of the animals they hunt and it has a possitive affect on other animals as well.
its up to us to teach and to push for conservation of reptiles.
no other group will do it for us!!!!!
no other group will teach the kids and in doing so remove the fear and maybe even gain a new herper in the process.
remember any time you ask the government to fix a problem for you, you loose freedom!!!!!
this is not a they need to fix it deal its a we need to fix it deal, through education and by not supporting the people who will break the laws and rules of the herp shows to make a buck, while giving the ones who would shut us down more amunition to fire at us.
Get out there and teach responcible pet ownership and conservation!!!!!!!
our fair is giving away iguanas as we speek, i dont attend the fair but have heard from some that have.
now that is just dumb!!!!!
Hoosier Reptiles

Sadly over the years not enough herpers have been listening to like statments . Hopefully what is unfolding in Chicago will be the wake up call thats needed . We all need to do our part to educate beginers in our hobby as well as the public and lawmakers. If we do not we all lose .

Kevin
NAROA