NARBC Tinley Park!!!
(Please note: VIP badges must buy auction tickets. New auction start time of 6:00.)
NARBC says, “SHOW IS ONNNNNN!!!” While some may say the March show is not as big as October, well, that is not so much the case any longer. It’s still huge! Of course, USARK will be there. We will have all the answers to your questions, new shirts, and more. Thank you to Bob, Brian, and the NARBC Crew for their USARK and herp community support!
You certainly should not miss the Saturday night benefit auction (see details below)! As usual, we have some INCREDIBLE donations! Featured in this newsletter (see bottom) is a sneak peek of the astounding original artwork donated by the talented Emily Burke featuring the geckos of New Caledonia. Wow! We will have two other incredible paintings from Gamini and Lisa from Hidden Forest Art Gallery. We will post those on our Facebook page Thursday. This and so much more will be awaiting you at the auction! Here is an early THANK YOU to all donors! USARK would not be possible without your contributions.
There will also be a special benefit for a herpetoculturist we lost far too early. Many people have stepped up to aid the family of Forrest Fanning. Special auctions will be held with all proceeds going to his family. You can read an announcement by Reptek at www.facebook.com/ReptekUSA/photos/a.1526358170747413/2782879558428595/.
Please note that there will be adult content at the auction. This event supports good causes by raising money to protect and help responsible herpers and herp conservation, but the event is most definitely rated R. A good time is always had by all! Do not miss it!
If you are headed to the show, be sure to practice common-sense personal hygiene practices. Protect yourself, your family, and others. Please review this information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):Â www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html
Get all NARBC show details at www.narbc.com/Tinley/tinley_park.html.
NOTE: VIP badge holders must now purchase admission tickets for the auction! In order to attend the auction, you must purchase tickets at the USARK booth for entry into the auction room. This applies to general attendees, VIP badge holders, and vendors who do not receive tickets. See our booth for details.
  Show Schedule:
  Friday: Setup and VIP
  Saturday, March 14: 10:00-5:00 (VIP at 7:30 AM)
  Auction: 6:00 PM Saturday (preview open ASAP after show)
  Sunday, March 15: 11:00-4:00 (VIP at 10:00 AM)
Location:
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
San Luis Obispo Reptile Expo
Zoo Med Laboratories and Central Valley Reptile Expo have teamed up ​to bring San Luis Obispo the biggest reptile and pet expo ever! Come see incredible pets and reptiles from all over the globe. ​It’s fun for the whole family!
March 14th & 15th – Madonna Inn Expo Center
​Saturday 10AM – 5PM
​Sunday 10AM – 4PM
Get full show details at www.sloreptileexpo.com.
New Alerts
ConnecticutÂ
Senate Bill 413 (SB413) is yet another “traveling animal act” ban. This bill has broad and vague language which could allow enforcement upon programs with most animals. SB413 has a hearing on March 16.
Get full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2774000346015234.
Minnesota
Senate Bill 3842 (SF3842) and House Bill 3657 (HF3657) have been introduced in Minnesota. It is a large bill covering many subjects that fall under the jurisdiction of the MN Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). Essentially, it would give MN DNR a new authority to write certain regulations regarding herps.
Section 24 of the bill reads:
“Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 97A.401, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 8. Snakes, lizards, and salamanders. The commissioner must prescribe conditions and may issue permits to breed, propagate, and sell snakes, lizards, and salamanders. A snake, lizard, or salamander that is obtained from a permitted breeder or that was possessed before August 1, 2020, may be possessed as a pet.”
Get more details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2767607509987851.
Crocodile Conservation Fundraiser and IgaunaFest Update
The awesome people behind CrocFest are at it again! They have been helping save crocodiles for 10 years and they want this to be the biggest and best fundraiser yet. To cap off their 20th anniversary of Croc School, they will be holding a huge benefit and auction on April 24Â at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.Â
All CrocFest proceeds will go to a project in Timor Leste concerning human-crocodile conflict issues involving the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). More details to follow but this will be the first time CrocFest has raised money for a project associated with Salties!
Get all of the details at www.facebook.com/crocfests or www.crocfest.org.
The 3rd IguanaFest has been postponed until next year. The new IguanaLand wlll welcome all iguana fans in 2021! Join the group below for updates.
IguanaFest Facebook group:Â www.facebook.com/groups/135371496972792
Donate to the USARK Legal Defense Fund
Information for making donations online and via check/money order can be found at www.usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/. You can make one-time, weekly, monthly or annual donations. You can also include a message that will be posted on the Legal Defense Fund Donor Wall at www.usark.org/usark-announcement/reptile-defense-donor-wall/ for all to see. You can even choose to make your donation or donation amount anonymous. Thanks for your support as we constantly battle legislation against responsible reptile and amphibian keeping. USARK is not possible without your donations.
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