Please join us at one of our meetings! We look forward to seeing you!
Los Angeles Chapter:
The LA Chapter meets on the first Saturday of the month beginning at 6 pm.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWHS1/
To join our meetings please contact webmaster@swhs.org for details. All are welcome!
Founded in 1954 in Orange County, the SWHS has met continuously in a variety of locations over the years. Membership is open to anyone interested in the study & conservation of reptiles & amphibians. Check out our Facebook page!
Location: Our monthly meetings are the first Saturday of the month at 6 pm at the Deukmejian Wilderness Park 3429 Markridge Road, Glendale 91214. We meet in the Ranch House. After you enter the park drive all the way to the very top of the road (past the Stone Barn Nature Center) until the road dead ends. Turn left and park in front of the Ranch House. In winter months the park closes at 6 pm so make sure you are inside before the gates are locked. Park staff will reopen the gates at 8 pm after our meeting to let us drive out.
May 4:
Join us Saturday, May 4 at 6 pm “Both Ends of the Pet Trade” Focusing on Conservation
Speaker: Rachel Pikstein
Rachel specializes in issues at the front and back end of the pet trade. Her talk will focus on proper husbandry importance, pet trade negligence, and the important bridge between reptile hobbyists and herpetologists when it comes to a conservation-focused future. The talk will end with one of Rachel’s favorite public Outreach topics which are Comic-Con events! A sample discussion with Q&A will share various reptiles from the Star Wars (and other Syfy) universe, in honor of the May 4th meeting date.
Rachel Pikstein has 13 years teaching experience at the University of Dubuque and Grand Canyon University. She is currently a PhD student at Loma Linda University under the mentorship of Herpetologist Dr Bill Hayes. She specializes in the Argentine black and white tegu lizard, Salvator merianae, and also does much work locally with the Western burrowing owl. Rachel has also managed her own research lab for the last 8 years, Pikstein Laboratory for Conservation Research & Education. “Pikstein Lab” focuses on tackling biodiversity and habitat loss due to invasive species and a variety of environmental degradations. The lab performs seasonal field work, publishes scientific papers, rehabilitates and rescues wildlife, presents at symposiums, and provides educational outreach services at public events in libraries, schools, reptile expos, and even at comic conventions.
Deukmejian Wilderness Park Ranch House. Enter the park and drive past the nature center all the way to the top where the road dead ends. Turn left through the metal gate and park at the ranch house.
Guests are welcome to join our meetings!