The Calusa Herpetological Society Of Southwest Florida

Thursday, January 6, 2005  - 7:00 pm

 TONIGHT’S  SPEAKER  -  Tonight’s speaker is Laura Wewerka.  Laura was our liaison at the Nature Center of Lee County back when the CHS first formed seven years ago.   She is now a land manager for Lee County’s 20/20 lands.  She is also the education chair for the Gopher Tortoise Council, a volunteer group of scientists, educators and concerned citizens that was started by herpetologists in the 1970's out of the University of Florida.  Laura will speak about the Gopher Tortoise Council and the ongoing perils of the gopher tortoise locally and statewide. 

Ron is a past president of the Chicago Herpetological Society.  He began his serious interest in herpetology during his undergraduate studies in Earth Science at Elmhurst College and the University of Strasbourg, France.  Working with extinct types of chelonians, an interest in living forms developed, along with a deep concern over the future survival of these unique members of the reptile community. This is going to be one of the best, most in-depth talks we’ve ever had on a herp subject.

MEETING SITE : In Ft. Myers, Florida at the Calusa Nature Center , near Colonial Blvd. (S. R. 884) and Interstate 75. Get off I-75 at exit #136 (old exit #22) and go west (towards the coast) on 884 (Colonial Blvd.) for one-half mile, then turn right at the first traffic light onto Ortiz Ave., and then left into the Nature Center after only one-quarter mile. The Iona House meeting site is an older dark green house located to the left (as you enter the grounds) at the rear of the complex, back near where the school busses are parked.  The meeting opens at 7:00 pm, and the speaker usually starts no later than 7:15 pm.  Click HERE for a map to the meeting site.  After each meeting, all attendees are invited to join "the core" for an informal nightcap at RJ Gator's Restaurant / Sports Bar on Colonial Blvd. where we usually gather following meetings which end at 8:30 pm.

WHO'S INVITED ? You are! Anyone with an interest in any aspect of herpetology or herpetoculture is welcome to attend, learn, and exchange their experiences with our friendly membership. Come out to meet others who keep, breed or study reptiles and amphibians, and let them share their fascination with you. We average 35 – 70 people attending every meeting.

Cookies and cold soda, a nightly raffle of live herps, herp products, and books follow each speaker's talk, and lots of herp camaraderie, gossip, and fun can be counted upon at all meetings !

For more info , call (239) 728-2390 or (239) 481-3525 or  EMAIL: info@calusaherp.org