NRAAC Law Symposium
Many influential organizations, government agencies, businesses, scientists, veterinarians and herpers gathered last weekend in Washington, D.C. They all met at the National Reptile and Amphibian Advisory Council’s (NRAAC) second Reptile and Amphibian Law Symposium. The event was moderated by NRAAC founder Jeff Barringer, who organized this meeting of varied viewpoints.
The two day symposium allowed government officials and trade affiliates to discuss crucial matters with current and proposed herp laws and regulations. Debate was had over many topics such as CITES’ affect on the reptile trade, invasive species, herp rescues, endangered species (including the Endangered Species Act) and conservation. Representatives from both sides of critical issues were allowed to speak in this open forum and questions were answered promptly. Events such as this allow personal interaction and the lines of communication were strengthened between government officials and trade representatives.
Co-host George Washington University Law School, represented by Associate Professor of Law Joan Schaffner, provided a great venue for attendees including the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), USARK, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG), Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), Department of the Interior (DOI) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Trade businesses represented included LLL Reptile, Ty’s Lizards, Zoo Med, Bushmaster Reptiles, The Turtle Source, Exotic Pets Las Vegas and others (see photo at bottom of some in attendance).
Special thanks to Cindy Steinle and Christie Keith for helping the conference flow smoothly.
The two day symposium allowed government officials and trade affiliates to discuss crucial matters with current and proposed herp laws and regulations. Debate was had over many topics such as CITES’ affect on the reptile trade, invasive species, herp rescues, endangered species (including the Endangered Species Act) and conservation. Representatives from both sides of critical issues were allowed to speak in this open forum and questions were answered promptly. Events such as this allow personal interaction and the lines of communication were strengthened between government officials and trade representatives.
Co-host George Washington University Law School, represented by Associate Professor of Law Joan Schaffner, provided a great venue for attendees including the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), USARK, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG), Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), Department of the Interior (DOI) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Trade businesses represented included LLL Reptile, Ty’s Lizards, Zoo Med, Bushmaster Reptiles, The Turtle Source, Exotic Pets Las Vegas and others (see photo at bottom of some in attendance).
Special thanks to Cindy Steinle and Christie Keith for helping the conference flow smoothly.
NARBC Tinley Park
Is Tinley Park ready? It better be, as the reptile community is taking over this weekend. NARBC will be supplying a top-shelf show to attendees by presenting first-class vendors from across the country. Be sure to attend the USARK/PIJAC benefit auction, held Saturday night, to protect your freedom to keep reptiles and amphibians as pets. Brian Potter will man the microphone and is sure to keep the night very spirited. A huge thanks to all auction contributors as they allowed NARBC to raise over $100,000 to support the herp community in 2013. Get all the show details at www.narbc.com/Tinley/tinley_park.html. We appreciate your continued support Bob, Brian and NARBC!
There will be presentations on both days as well a little something special on Friday night. “A Chicagoland ArachnoGathering: Tarantula Night at NARBC” will take place from 6:00 PM until the invertebrates go to bed. More details can be found at www.exoticfauna.com/arachnogathering.
Volunteers: Needed during the show to work booth, collect auction items, and sell raffle tickets, and also for auction set-up. Please send an email to info@USARK.org or a private message on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers if you would like to help with “NARBC Volunteer” as the subject.
Show Hours:
10:00-5:00 Saturday
11:00-4:00 Sunday
Auction: 6:00 PM Saturday with cash bar and appetizers
NOTE: Auction will include much adult language (Rated R)
There will be presentations on both days as well a little something special on Friday night. “A Chicagoland ArachnoGathering: Tarantula Night at NARBC” will take place from 6:00 PM until the invertebrates go to bed. More details can be found at www.exoticfauna.com/arachnogathering.
Volunteers: Needed during the show to work booth, collect auction items, and sell raffle tickets, and also for auction set-up. Please send an email to info@USARK.org or a private message on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers if you would like to help with “NARBC Volunteer” as the subject.
Show Hours:
10:00-5:00 Saturday
11:00-4:00 Sunday
Auction: 6:00 PM Saturday with cash bar and appetizers
NOTE: Auction will include much adult language (Rated R)
News and Upcoming Events
Chicago Herp Society’s ReptileFest: April 12-13, 2014 from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM in Chicago, IL. The nation’s largest educational reptile and amphibian show is back. CHS does a fantastic job educating the public at this event, which does not include live animal sales. Attendees can learn about appropriate pets, native species and conservation. There will be opportunities to hold animals, ask questions and enjoy these incredible creatures. More information at www.chicagoherp.org/fest.
David Northcott Health Battle: Dave is a remarkable person, award-winning photographer and cherished member of the herp community. He is battling a heart condition and has been informed he will need a transplant. You can support him at www.gofundme.com/6g1rak. We wish you well, Dave.
David Northcott Health Battle: Dave is a remarkable person, award-winning photographer and cherished member of the herp community. He is battling a heart condition and has been informed he will need a transplant. You can support him at www.gofundme.com/6g1rak. We wish you well, Dave.
Cancer Battle: A fellow herper, Patrick Gerbert (TattooedGiants Reticulated Pythons), is battling stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A fundraising page has been started at www.gofundme.com/Help-Patrick. We wish you the best in your fight, Patrick.
Indiana Reptile Breeders’ Expo: March 16th in Clarksville, IN and March 23rd in Richmond, IN. More details at www.irbexpo.com.
Pacific NW Reptile and Exotic Animal Show: March 29-30 in Hillsboro, OR. The PACNWRS is a public trade show exhibiting over 100 vendor booths offering exotic animals and their related merchandise. In addition to animals and products for sale, there are educational reptile and exotic mammal displays for the whole family. Get all the details at www.pacnwrs.com and www.facebook.com/pages/Pacific-Northwest-Reptile-and-Exotic-Animal-Show/.
OKC Elite Reptile Show: After a great first show, the second OKC Elite show hits Oklahoma City on May 3-4. More information will be posted at https://www.facebook.com/events/254930164657115/?fref=ts.
Snake Days: May 30, 31 & June 1 in Sanderson, Texas. Great educational lectures, field herping, photo contest, clean highways project and more. Get the details at www.facebook.com/events/690350000995984/ and www.snakedays.com.
Biology of The Pitvipers Symposium: June 4-7 in Tulsa, OK. Learn more at www.biologyofthepitvipers.com and www.facebook.com/BiologyOfThePitvipersSymposium.
Indiana Reptile Breeders’ Expo: March 16th in Clarksville, IN and March 23rd in Richmond, IN. More details at www.irbexpo.com.
Pacific NW Reptile and Exotic Animal Show: March 29-30 in Hillsboro, OR. The PACNWRS is a public trade show exhibiting over 100 vendor booths offering exotic animals and their related merchandise. In addition to animals and products for sale, there are educational reptile and exotic mammal displays for the whole family. Get all the details at www.pacnwrs.com and www.facebook.com/pages/Pacific-Northwest-Reptile-and-Exotic-Animal-Show/.
OKC Elite Reptile Show: After a great first show, the second OKC Elite show hits Oklahoma City on May 3-4. More information will be posted at https://www.facebook.com/events/254930164657115/?fref=ts.
Snake Days: May 30, 31 & June 1 in Sanderson, Texas. Great educational lectures, field herping, photo contest, clean highways project and more. Get the details at www.facebook.com/events/690350000995984/ and www.snakedays.com.
Biology of The Pitvipers Symposium: June 4-7 in Tulsa, OK. Learn more at www.biologyofthepitvipers.com and www.facebook.com/BiologyOfThePitvipersSymposium.
A photo of just a few attendees and presenters at the 2014 NRAAC Herp Law Symposium.
