The Annual Amphibian Foundation Open House!

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The first Friday in December each year, we have opened the doors of the Amphibian Foundation (which is generally closed tot he public), and invited our partners to help us celebrate the wonderful diversity of reptiles and amphibians — often overlooked groups of animals — both groups are in great conservation concern.

The last couple of years hundreds of people have come help us celebrate! What a wonderful experience and we are so grateful the community has welcomed us, and wants to celebrate these animals with us.

— All photos by Tess Yaney —

In the lobby:


Each year, we also open the annual Ribbit Exhibit, a fine art gallery featuring amphibians. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefits amphibian conservation in the southeast.

AF Merchandise is for sale, as well as a membership drive

We maintain a small Poison Frog exhibit in the lobby as well.
Sarah Horsley, on of the artists featured in the Ribbit Exhibit poses in front of her salamander art.

Partners:

The Orianne Society, a valued partner, is always a huge hit at these events.

Micah Miles, a collaborator and PhD student at UGA is interviewing visitors on their feelings about reptiles and amphibians

The University of Georgia Herpetological Society represented with some amazing animals and wonderful enthusiasm.

Georgia DNR came with wonderful displays, incredible outreach animals, and a powerful conservation message.

Everybody loves a Pine Snake!

Visitors were enamored with the young Gopher Tortoise

Blue Heron, our friends, partners, and neighbors set up a science station to look at natural artifacts from the preserve.

A close up of natural treasures found on the Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Visitors could examine the wings of a butterfly under a microscope thanks to BHNP

Blue Heron staff engaging the visitors on the preserve: an oasis for urban nature

The Atlanta Audubon Society, our neighbors and partners, engaging visitors about native birds — including raptors!

The Georgia Reptile Society always brings the party with well-dressed reptiles from around the world.

The Amphibian Foundation:


Erin, an AF Volunteer educating visitors on Alligator Snapping Turtles, and our Education and Outreach programs at the Foundation.

Marjan, an AF Volunteer, giving a tour of the Director's office.

Alyssa, and AF Volunteer in the Conservation Collections showing off 'Puddles' a beautiful Copperhead

Visitors admiring our state-of-the-art Rainchamber built mainly with parts and equipment donated by Zilla.

Inside the Amphibian Lab at the Amphibian Foundation

Jessica, an AF Volunteer in the Amphibian Lab giving a tour of the lab within which she works.

Chase (the Co-Founders' oldest son) and Melanie making sure everybody is fed.

The 'Salamander Experience' is an important part of our Open House because we love to talk with people about this poorly understood group of animals.

The Co-Founders also admiring the Rainchamber (we don't often get to see it at night)

Abby, an AF Volunteer in the Squamate Lab posing with one of the Georgia Reptile Society's well-dressed animals — a Green Iguana.

Crystal (left), Anthony, and Mark (right) AF Co-Founders happy and exhausted after what was another amazing and packed Open House.

Hope to see you next year!!!

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