We are currently working on the startup of a few initiatives in Ontario addressing issues affecting amphibians and reptiles in Ontario. We have funding to study five-lined skinks at Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park and the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Park. The objectives of the research are to document the distribution and size of skink-populations in the parks. As a secondary goal we are taking time to document and assess some additional populations of amphibian and reptile species in the Kawarthas - our backyard. Several species occur within an hour or two of Lindsay including two-lined salamanders, gray tree frogs, five-lined skinks, musk turtles, Blanding's turtles, snapping turtles, spotted turtles, ribbon snakes, milk snakes and eastern hognose snakes. Our work is funded by the Species At Risk Stewardship Fund.

Fleming College has a history of working closely with the Kawartha Conservation Authority. This fall, we will be assessing one of the conservation areas managed by KRCA to establish locations for long term amphibain and reptile monitoring. This project will also provide a complete and current inventory of amphibians and reptiles present at the conservation area. Work will be completed through student projets and volunteer groups who will assist with the research. This work also provides a project for students to participate in and hone their skills after completing Amphibian Biology and ID, Reptile Biology and ID, and Monitoring Reptiles and Amphibians. They will be able to participae in surveys and understand how their newly acquired ID skills and knowledge translate into field work.

We first visited Cano Palma Biological Station in 1999. Shortly after that visit, Josh joined the board of directors for the Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC). COTERC owns and operates Cano Palma Biological Station which is the primary means by which the organization achieves its mandate to "provide leadership in education, research and conservation and the wise use of natural resources in the tropics".

Today, Josh serves as the chair of the board and continues to work toward acheiving the goals of COTERC through efforts to support education, research and conservation in Costa Rica. He currently organizes an annual two week field placement for Fleming College students and offers a 6 week tropical field ecology course for Fleming College graduates at Cano Palma Biological Station. Karen supports the efforts by putting up with Josh's frequent expeditions to the station and as the acting Executive Director for COTERC.

During the summer of 2011, six students participated in the first offering of Tropical Field Ecology a field course which focuses on providing extensive field research experience in a tropical setting . The course was a success and it will be offered during the summer of 2012. Currently, it is only offered to graduates of either a two or three year program at Fleming College. [read more]