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/
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. Enter the park and 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 3:
Join us Saturday 4/5/25 at 6 pm Join us Saturday, May 3 at 6 pm to hear a presentation by Rachel Pikstein: “Sauria, Squamates, & Saurology: where did all these lizards come from?!” What do titanoboa, dinosaurs, Medusa, dragons, lizard people, and your gecko ALL have in common?! A LOT more than you’d think! Why are most humans so fascinated by dinos & dragons, while the incredible giant reptiles of today spark mostly fear & indifference? What made humanity so globally and historically obsessed with snakes and lizards? While squamates give humans the last laugh of indifference, evolving to become the most diverse, widespread, and abundant of all the scaled creatures on Earth!
Come to learn and inquire on topics of squamate diversity, phylogeny/evolution, extinct relatives (dinosaurs & not-a-saurs), extant relatives (tuatara and crocodilians), several of Pikstein Labs active herpetefauna research projects, and ending with a fun look at some reptile inspired examples for “Paranormal Day” in honor of our May 3rd meeting date (lizard people conspiracy, Naga of Hindu mythology, Nure-onna of Japanese mythology, Ladon dragon + Medusa of Greek mythology, and British mythology wyverns vs dragons)
Rachel Pikstein is an environmental biologist, ecologist, & herpetologist who has worked as a Biology Professor for Grand Canyon University and the University of Dubuque before beginning her PhD in Biology at Loma Linda University under PI Dr Bill Hayes in 2024. Pikstein Laboratory for Conservation Research & Education was founded in 2023 and focuses on tackling biodiversity & habitat losses, sustainable agriculture, invasive species, & a variety of forms of environmental degradation.
Guests are welcome to join our meetings!