Outreach Book 2016

LETTER FROM OUR CEO

IN THIS BOOK

As a conservation biologist, I have worked with the concept of ecological niches (the role of an organism in its environment) for years. But over the past 12 years working for Wildlife Conservation Society and The Orianne Society, I have learned that achieving conservation is truly a partnership-driven process, and similar to ecological niches, organizations hold important niches in this process.

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Letter from our CEO Mission Why It’s Important Approach Initiatives Longleaf Savannas Altamaha River Corridor Sandhill Snakes Freshwater Turtles Great Northern Forests Northeast Kingdom Freshwater Turtles Vernal Pools Appalachian Highlands Greater Smoky Mountains Hellbenders Appalachian Streams Global Viper Conservation Timber Rattlesnakes Viper Specialist Group Saving Endangered Species from Extinction 37 Take Action

Photo: Pete Oxford

This realization has led me to begin the process of clearly defining what the niche of The Orianne Society is in the “environment” of conservation. The first and most defining characteristic is that we are one of the only organizations in the world focused exclusively on the conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

Unfortunately, reptile and amphibian-focused conservation has lagged far behind conservation for other groups of animals, such as birds and mammals. This reality has made it difficult to fill all the niches required for conserving reptiles and amphibians, and thus it is important that we further define our niche and work to help other organizations grow to fill other roles.

An important component of our niche is where we work. In the broadest sense Orianne is globally focused, but we work strategically in specific landscapes. The majority of our initiatives are focused in North American landscapes, but we are beginning to expand out of North America with work on endangered vipers. In each of our initiatives, we define places and species as focal conservation priorities.

Another important component of our niche is how we work. We define our approach as ‘Science-Fueled, Boots-on-the-Ground Conservation.” Our approach to science is to focus on studies that provide important information for implementing conservation. Our applied conservation is strategically land focused with its core as the protection, restoration and stewardship of critically-important habitats.

Photo: Kevin Stohlgren

The Orianne Society’s niche is as one of the leading organizations for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians, both in North American landscapes and for endangered vipers globally. We are focused on science and the conservation of critical habitats, as well as being leaders in conservation and the effort to build a stronger network of organizations.

Join us in our efforts to build the “environment” of conservation for reptiles and amphibians.

Dr. Chris Jenkins CEO, The Orianne Society

MISSION

Reptiles and amphibians do not get the same attention as mammals and birds. They are actually targets of persecution and antipathy, yet every ecosystem they are part of needs them to persist. They are bellwethers of habitat health, are integral predators and prey, and hold many clues to important medical advances.

The Orianne Society works to conserve critical ecosystems for imperiled REPTILES and AMPHIBIANS using SCIENCE, APPLIED CONSERVATION and EDUCATION.

Photo: Chance Feimster

We don’t ask that everyone love these animals. But regardless of how you feel about them, you need to respect the necessity of their persistence.

Not just for their intrinsic value, but for their value in keeping our ecosystems whole.

Habitat Loss

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT IN ONE STUDY 250 Lost 8 IN 10

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There are over 7,500 species of amphibians located around the world, with new species being discovered every day. However, a staggering 200-250 species of amphibians have been lost to extinction or have declined to the point that they are no longer detectable in the wild. Amphibians are susceptible to many threats, but the biggest factor causing their decline may be disease, such as chytrid fungus and ranavirus.

SWERVED TO HIT WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS A SNAKE. Direct human persecution of snakes is rampant. Maligned from the start of human history, changing misguided perceptions of snakes constitutes a unique and difficult challenge to snake conservation efforts.

Turtles are the most Endangered Group of Wildlife in the World.

Approximately 58 percent of turtle species across the world are considered endangered.

APPROACH

INITIATIVES OVERVIEW Orianne currently has four primary initiatives: the Longleaf Savannas Initiative, the Great Northern Forests Initiative, the Appalachian Highlands Initiative and the Global Viper Conservation Initiative, all of which umbrella the conservation of numerous species and landscapes.

Reptiles and amphibians are often the bellwethers of habitat health.

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EDUCATION & OUTREACH

Photo: Pete Oxford

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LAND PROTECTION & RESTORATION

Photo: Pete Oxford

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Photo: Kiley Briggs

RESEARCH

Examples of our Research Spatial Ecology Thermal & Physiological Ecology Habitat Modeling Genetics

We work to conserve species through strategic initiatives that are designed using a customized, science-based approach. Specifically, we examine a particular conservation target, such as Eastern Indigo Snakes or Appalachian streams, and determine the research, applied conservation programs and on-the-ground action needed to conserve this target. Each species or landscape requires a customized approach to conservation. We use data collected from our research projects to inform a diverse set of applied conservation approaches.

Photo: Pete Oxford

SCIENCE FUELED. BOOTS ON THE GROUND. CONSERVATION. The primary focus of our Longleaf Savannas Initiative is within the Longleaf Pine ecosystem, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. A long history of conversion of native forests to agriculture and commercial timberland, road construction and fire suppression has resulted in less than three percent of the original range of Longleaf Pine remaining. In addition to having some of the highest biodiversity in North America, this ecosystem is home to many endangered species of plants and wildlife, including many reptiles and amphibians like the Eastern Indigo Snake.

The primary focus of our Great Northern Forests Initiative is within the Transitional Conifer-Hardwood ecosystem, the area where boreal forests meet northern hardwood forests. Although the Northeast has been extensively developed and to this day is a global supplier of wood for the lumber and paper industry, this region is still relatively intact and supports moose, bald eagles, black bear and a number of reptile and amphibians species, including Wood Turtles, Blue Spotted Salamanders and Timber Rattlesnakes.

The primary focus of our Appalachian Highlands Initiative is within the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem, which encompasses much of the higher elevations of the eastern United States. This region is crucial for many species that require temperate montane habitats. Salamanders are especially important components of this ecosystem, which houses some of the highest global diversities of this group.

Several threatened amphibian species occur here in patchy populations, including Eastern Hellbenders.

Viper species across the world, including Timber Rattlesnakes, are the primary focus of our Global Viper Conservation Initiative. There may be no other group of animals as heavily persecuted worldwide than vipers due to poor understanding of their basic biology and widely-held negative perceptions. However, there are relatively few efforts to conserve venomous snakes as compared to other wildlife species wildlife. A total of 16 percent (54 species) of vipers are listed as threatened with extinction.

Early settlers found a southeastern United States vastly different from what we know today. Historically, the Longleaf Pine ecosystem was dominated and characterized by tall trees, little to no mid story vegetation, and a diversity of understory groundcover including wiregrass and numerous wildflowers and forbs. Natural weather patterns helped this forest thrive, creating frequent fires that would spread across the forest floor. These fires helped create a bare seed bed where Longleaf Pine seeds fell and germinated, allowing the forest to persist.

Photo: Pete Oxford

LONGLEAF SAVANNAS initiative

ALTAMAHA RIVER CORRIDOR

SANDHILL SNAKES Photo: Pete Oxford

Today, the Longleaf Pine ecosystem is one of the most endangered in the United States, with less than three percent of the original range of Longleaf Pine remaining after being harvested heavily for commercial use and replanted with faster-growing species, such as Loblolly and Slash Pine. The areas that were once Longleaf Pine are now agricultural land and off-site pine planted in rows. Additionally, natural fires are being suppressed, stunting the reproduction of what remains of Longleaf Pine forests.

Sandhill snakes are one of the most threatened groups of wildlife in the Longleaf Pine ecosystem. Multiple species have declined significantly, including Eastern Indigo Snakes, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Southern Hognose Snakes and multiple species of pine snakes.

FRESHWATER TURTLES Photo: Pete Oxford

We are working to conserve and protect the Longleaf Pine ecosystem and several threatened species that rely on this ecosystem, including species such as the Eastern Indigo Snake, Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Gopher Tortoise.

The Altamaha River Corridor (ARC) is composed of Cypress swamps and extensive sandhills interspersed with tracts of Longleaf Pine forests.

The ARC is within the Longleaf Pine ecosystem and is where we work to restore this land through applying prescribed fire, planting Longleaf Pine seedlings and protecting land, including the Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve.

The Longleaf Pine ecosystem is interspersed with extensive flood plains and isolated wetlands that are important habitat for freshwater turtles.

Multiple species within this ecosystem are in need of conservation, including Spotted Turtles, Alligator Snapping Turtles and several species of map turtles.

ALTAMAHA RIVER CORRIDOR The Altamaha River Corridor (ARC) watershed is one of the most diverse watersheds in North America and one of the more wild places in the southeastern United States.

However, this landscape has been subjected to conversion to agriculture, development, surface water withdraw and diversion, pollution runoff, incompatible forestry practices and suppression of natural fire regimes.

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We have planted over 650,000 Longleaf Pine seedlings as of 2016 and will continue planting long-term.

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We have applied prescribed fire to over 16,000 acres of public and private land and plan to burn an additional 25,000 acres over the next five years to perpetuate the growth of Longleaf Pine and native groundcover.

We created ground cover donor sites to restore degraded groundcover on public and private lands. Our goal is to increase our capacity to harvest 2,000 pounds of bulk seed annually.

The Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve is in the western portion of the ARC and is comprised of approximately 48,000 acres. Of this 48,000, 2,607 acres are owned by The Orianne Society and a further 10,343 acres are managed through conservation partners or cooperating private landowners.

Photo: Pete Oxford

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Throughout this landscape, we are committed to increasing our conservation footprint through land protection and restoration. We work to conserve this landscape by working on private and public lands in the ARC by offering technical assistance to landowners, planting Longleaf Pine seedlings, restoring appropriate groundcover and applying prescribed fire.

WHAT WE DO

We created the Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve (OISP), a system of private lands that are protected in perpetuity. We plan to increase the size of the OISP through conservation easements, partnerships and land acquisition.

We currently work with over 35 private landowners to restore Longleaf Pine forests on their properties. Our goal is to enroll 120 more landowners into the network to increase acres of habitat restored.

The Eastern Indigo Snake is the flagship species of our Sandhill Snakes conservation priority. The scientific name of the Eastern Indigo Snake, Drymarchon couperi, roughly translates to “Emperor of the Forest.” One of the largest snakes in North America, the Eastern Indigo Snake is docile despite being a top predator and is an icon for conservation.

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SANDHILL SNAKES

WHAT WE DO We will continue our long-term monitoring program for the Eastern Indigo Snake, which we have completed annually for the last five years. We also monitor populations of Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Southern Hognose Snakes and pine snakes, as well as Gopher Tortoises.

Pound for pound, Indigos move as far as a lion.

The threats that have caused Eastern Indigo Snakes to decline are similar across the board for the other snakes we work to conserve within the Sandhill Snakes conservation priority, including Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Southern Hognose Snakes and Florida Pine Snakes. Much of the habitat that these species require is gone and what does remain has been degraded by years of fire suppression and is fragmented by the onslaught of development. While these factors impact nearly all Longleaf Pine ecosystem associated species, the Eastern Indigo Snake is particularly vulnerable because it is a wide-ranging snake that travels great distances and meets many dangerous obstacles along the way.

We are evaluating Gopher Tortoise populations on the Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve (OISP) to determine if future translocations are necessary for this important keystone species.

We co-chair the Indigo Snake Reintroduction Committee that determines locations and methods for Indigo Snake reintroductions. We reintroduced over 100 Indigos onto Conecuh National Forest in Alabama.

Photo: Pete Oxford

Eastern Indigo Snakes, Southern Hognose Snakes and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes have not only declined because of habitat loss, they have also suffered tremendous loss due to overcollection from the pet trade. Additionally, rattlesnake populations declined due to historical rattlesnake round-ups and indiscriminate persecution. We work diligently to educate the public on the importance of these species, including attending a former round-up which we helped reform into a rattlesnake festival.

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We work to conserve sandhill snakes by using research on the populations of these species to determine their conservation needs, which range from captive breeding and reintroduction to education outreach to habitat restoration and protection.

We are working to complete status assessments on multiple snake species, including the recently petitioned Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Southern Hognose Snake and Florida Pine Snake, for agencies such as the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

We use citizen science to educate the public about these species and to collect valuable species data, including hosting Indigo Days on the OISP.

The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) is the flagship species of our freshwater turtle conservation priority within the Longleaf Savannas Initiative. The Spotted Turtle is small and can fit in the palm of your hand. Adults reach 3.5 to 4.5 inches in length, which makes it the second smallest turtle species in the eastern United States.

Historically, the Spotted Turtle was heavily collected for the pet trade, causing it to be listed as threatened in the state of Georgia and listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Additionally, Spotted Turtles face threats similar to other freshwater turtle species. Many Spotted Turtle populations have become isolated or have declined or disappeared due to habitat loss, road mortality and adverse impacts to wetlands.

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FRESHWATER TURTLES

WHAT WE DO

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We are determining the home range size and habitat use of Spotted Turtles in the state of Georgia as part of a statewide assessment. This is one of the first studies of Spotted Turtles in Georgia where very little is known about this species.

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We collect and analyze genetic data from individual Spotted Turtles to assess the genetic diversity within populations and the connectivity among populations.

We are working to conserve Spotted Turtle populations by conducting research, inventory and monitoring projects that are designed to direct future efforts to protect and restore habitats. Habitat restoration will benefit many other freshwater turtle species, such as Alligator Snapping Turtles and multiple species of map turtles.

Photo: Pete Oxford

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The exploitation of Spotted Turtles in the pet trade and the fragmentation of their wetland habitat have caused their populations to decline by 50 percent over three turtle generations.

The threat of isolated populations and the low numbers of Spotted Turtles left in the wild make it difficult for these animals to migrate among populations to reproduce, causing potential genetic problems in addition to lowered reproductive rates. The loss of even a single Spotted Turtle from collection or habitat loss can be a detriment to a local population.

We plan to use the data collected from our radio-telemetry and thermal ecology studies to develop a habitat model for Spotted Turtles. This will allow us to identify priority habitat areas for conservation.

We plan to determine the habitat requirements that allow Spotted Turtles, and in turn other freshwater turtles, to thrive. We will then work to restore, create and protect habitat for these species. We will begin this effort by restoring 20 acres of Spotted Turtle habitat on the Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve.

Before European colonization, the Transitional Conifer-Hardwood ecosystem contained untouched forests and a vast network of untamed river systems. This provided breath-taking views, vibrant fall foliage and an abundance of habitat for wildlife. The natural resources found within the region where the boreal forests meet the hardwood forests must have appeared inexhaustible to those who came to settle there.

Because of this, by the mid-1800s this ecosystem was a favorite of the timber industry, which created jobs within the forest at paper mills and saw mills. Attracted by steady employment, people came and built communities and industries. Today, this ecosystem is fragmented by roads, development and agricultural lands. Some of the rivers and streams within this transitional area have been diverted, polluted, or in the case of wetlands, drained. Though you can still find intact tracts of forest, the Transitional Conifer-Hardwood ecosystem is only a fragment of what it once was.

Photo: Kiley Briggs

GREAT NORTHERN FORESTS initiative

NORTHEAST KINGDOM The Northeast Kingdom is located in northern New England and contains a mosaic of wetlands and forest habitat types. This region is home to many wildlife species such as moose, black bear, deer, loons, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, and charismatic reptile and amphibian species, including the Wood Turtle and Mink Frog.

FRESHWATER TURTLES Photo: Kiley Briggs

We are working to conserve and protect the Transitional Conifer-Hardwood ecosystem as well as several threatened reptile and amphibian species that rely on this ecosystem, including Wood Turtles and vernal pool breeding amphibians.

The Transitional Conifer-Hardwood ecosystem hosts abundant glacial lakes, bogs, rivers and streams, which provide valuable habitat for freshwater turtles. Multiple species within this ecosystem are in need of conservation, including the Bog Turtle, Wood Turtle, Spotted Turtle and Blanding’s Turtle.

Photo: Kiley Briggs

VERNAL POOLS Vernal pools are unique habitats within the Transitional Conifer-Hardwood ecosystem that are critical to the survival of many species. Especially reliant on this habitat are vernal pool breeding amphibians such as the Blue Spotted Salamander and Wood Frog.

NORTHEAST KINGDOM The Northeast Kingdom is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, filled with lush forest lands, mountain bogs and cold water streams. But even though it is one of the most undisturbed regions in northern New England and relatively undeveloped, it is still subjected to fragmentation from roads, deforestation and agriculture.

WHAT WE DO

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Our goal is to protect key habitats that are critical for our focal species within the Northeast Kingdom through land acquisition, conservation easements and partnerships with private landowners.

We are working to keep the Transitional Conifer-Hardwood ecosystem, which covers the Northeast Kingdom, functioning properly to support the vast array of wildlife that reside there. We are working to identify priority areas for land conservation within the Northeast Kingdom to begin developing a network of protected properties where we will work to restore riparian areas and upland forests.

We plan to conduct restoration efforts in riparian areas by working with local farmers to exclude cattle from waterways and by reforesting riparian areas to reduce sedimentation into waterways.

The Northeast Kingdom is a region where many boreal species reach the southern limits of their range. This is true for the Mink Frog, Spruce Grouse and Canada Lynx.

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Photo: Heidi Hall

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We want to build partnerships with private landowners, state and federal agencies, interest groups, and other nonprofit organizations to start the conversation about land restoration and conservation in the Northeast Kingdom.

The Orianne Society was built on partnerships, and we can accomplish much more as a group than any of us can alone.

The Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is the flagship species of our freshwater turtle conservation priority within the Great Northern Forests Initiative. An adult Wood Turtle can reach lengths of 5 to 9 inches, and they are commonly identified by the bright reddish-orange color on their throat and underside of legs.

Like most declining species, the Wood Turtle and other freshwater turtles species are threatened by loss and fragmentation of the habitats they need to survive. Many populations become isolated due to human-introduced features, such as roads that are often impossible for the species to navigate across. Wood Turtles suffer from increased predation by subsidized predators such as raccoons, and because it moves great distances—over 2,000 feet from either side of a riparian area—it can be subjected to many threats. Many Wood Turtles are also lost due to mowers in agricultural areas next to streams.

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WHAT WE DO We are conducting surveys to assess the status of Wood Turtles in key areas within the Northeast Kingdom.

Though this is our initial focus area, we are currently selecting additional priority landscapes to survey.

Wood Turtles use up to 2,000 feet— that’s almost 7 football fields—on either side of a stream for their home range.

We collect and analyze genetic data from individual Wood Turtles to assess the genetic diversity within populations and connectivity among populations.

We have started the process of identifying key habitat priority areas.

It is our goal to restore and protect these areas and to work with land owners to restore critical habitat on private lands, resulting in a connective Wood Turtle preserve system.

Though wetland conservation is on a rising trend, early destruction or draining of wetlands has caused over 100 million acres, or around 53 percent, of wetlands to be lost in the United States from the 1600s to the 1980s.

Photo: Pete Oxford

We are working to conserve Wood Turtles by assessing the status of their populations, protecting and restoring wetland habitat, and educating the public on the importance of these animals and what they can do to decrease Wood Turtle mortality.

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FRESHWATER TURTLES

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We are working on an educational program aimed at farmers in riparian areas to increase the awareness of Wood Turtles and the importance of raising mower blades by a few inches during harvest to protect turtles.

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We are working to initiate a subsidized predator management program to reduce mortality by species such as raccoons.

VERNAL POOLS

WHAT WE DO

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We are designing research projects to identify the intricate connection between vernal pools and upland areas to determine which conservation activities are necessary in the uplands to conserve vernal pools and vernal pool breeding amphibians.

Vernal pools are extremely important for amphibians and are where adults go to breed and where their young develop. Vernal pools are temporary wetlands which are dry part of the year, causing them to be devoid of fish that would otherwise prey on these amphibians. Vernal pools are a delicate ecosystem that is vulnerable to many threats, particularly development. Changes in the upland habitats that surround vernal pools can have a significant impact on the amphibians that breed in vernal pools because individuals spend much of the year in these areas after the breeding season. These changes in upland areas and direct impacts to vernal pools have the potential to eliminate local amphibian populations.

We intend to monitor vernal pool breeding amphibians long-term to determine the effectiveness of our conservation activities in upland habitats as well as to detect declines in vernal pool breeding amphibians.

We are monitoring vernal pool breeding amphibians and habitat to determine priority conservation areas for protection and to determine how activities in uplands affect the health of vernal pools.

Photo: Houston Chandler

Amphibian populations are declining worldwide due to a number of factors. Threats contributing to amphibian declines include habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change and emerging diseases such as chytridiomycosis and ranavirus, which can be lethal.

We will work to protect upland habitats and areas containing vernal pools through land acquisition, conservation easements and partnerships.

We will continue our citizen science project, Snapshots in Time, which works with private citizens to collect long-term Wood Frog, Spotted Salamander and egg mass observations to determine changes in breeding time due to factors such as habitat loss and climate change.

The Appalachian Mountain ecosystem encompasses much of the higher elevations of the eastern United States.

Early settlers would have found rugged but lush country, dense hardwood forests full of wildlife and waterways filled with fish. The forest would have been dominated by the American Chestnut with Tulip Poplar and assorted maples and pines throughout. One in four trees found in the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem used to be an American Chestnut, and this ecosystem provided important temperate montane habitats for many species.

Photo: Amanda Newsom

APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS initiative Today it is difficult to find an American Chestnut. This species has declined significantly since the 1900s due to the spread of chestnut blight which is caused by a fungus. In addition, the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem has been degraded by fire suppression and fragmented by roads, development and agriculture.

GREATER SMOKY MOUNTAINS The Greater Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia are the focal landscape of the Appalachian Highlands Initiative. The Greater Smoky Mountains are one of the most herpetologically diverse regions in North America and have the highest salamander diversity in the world.

HELLBENDERS Photo: Pete Oxford

We are working to conserve the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem by restoring riparian areas, applying prescribed fire to the landscapes, and working with private landowners to provide technical assistance with land restoration.

Eastern Hellbender Salamanders are one of the largest salamander species in the world and are declining across their range. The Appalachian Mountain ecosystem still supports Eastern Hellbenders and many other salamander species populations.

Photo: Pete Oxford

APPALACHIAN STREAMS Wetlands within the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem are predominately stream systems. These streams are the cornerstone of the region’s incredible diversity, allowing it to be a global hotspot for salamander and fish diversity.

GREATER SMOKY MOUNTAINS

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The Greater Smoky Mountains (GSMs) contain some of the greatest remaining old-growth forests left in the eastern United States and host a level of biodiversity that rivals any other landscape on Earth. However, the loss of the American Chestnut, the introduction of invasive species, deforestation, human population encroachment, fire suppression and the draining of mountain wetlands are taking their toll on the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem within the GSMs, as well as on the animals that inhabit them.

We are working to conserve and restore habitat within the GSMs by restoring mountain bogs, planting American Chestnut seedlings and working with partners to restore the landscape through the application of prescribed fire.

WHAT WE DO We work with the American Chestnut Foundation to restore American Chestnut populations within the GSMs.

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We are restoring mountain bogs on private lands by removing invasive species and implementing prescribed fire where needed. One bog restoration project we have completed was done in part with Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in Georgia. The school now uses the bog as an outdoor classroom where they test water quality and identify aquatic species and bog-associated plants.

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is within western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, contains patches of oldgrowth forest. The majority of old-growth still found in the Greater Smoky Mountains occurs on public lands.

Photo: Amanda Newsom

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We plan to partner with the United States Forest Service and the North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council to apply prescribed fire to select areas within this ecosystem that have been subjected to fire suppression for decades, which will restore forest health and create openings for wildlife.

The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is the flagship species of our Appalachian Highlands Initiative. Eastern Hellbender Salamanders are one of the largest salamander species in the world, reaching lengths of 2.5 feet. They require cool, clear rivers and streams with little to no siltation in order to breathe and to inhabit sustainable microhabitats. Hellbenders are highly susceptible to pollution.

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HELLBENDERS

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WHAT WE DO

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Siltation destroys adult hellbender nesting sites and larval hiding areas, filling in hellbender homes.

We conduct surveys for hellbenders using environmental DNA (eDNA), a revolutionary technique that allows us to survey for the species using water samples rather than animal surveys.

We have surveyed the majority of our focal areas within Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee using eDNA, which has given us an in-depth understanding of their distribution.

Eastern Hellbenders are declining across their range and are petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. This species is primarily threatened by river sedimentation and pollution which cause the decline of suitable habitat for these animals. Survival rates of Eastern Hellbenders to adulthood are extremely low, so even small changes in their environment can cause them to not only lose their habitat, but they can also result in troubled breathing due to low oxygen levels and slow river flow.

We will use the data collected from our surveys to test a computer model that predicts hellbender habitat. If the habitat model is accurate, we can use it as a tool to choose where Eastern Hellbenders currently exist.

We are creating hellbender breeding habitat by installing nest boxes in known hellbender streams. These are placed in streams that have sufficient water quality but lack suitable rocks to nest under due to habitat degradation.

The most pressing threat to Eastern Hellbender populations is river sedimentation and pollution. When sediment fills the spaces under rocks, adult hellbenders lose their habitat and can’t always find new microhabitats easily with their short single movements of 30 to 60 feet. Adults also use these spaces for nesting sites. Larval and juvenile hellbenders are especially at risk from sedimentation, as they use the spaces under rocks to escape from predators.

Photo: Pete Oxford

We are working to conserve Eastern Hellbender populations within the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem by determining where they occur to identify priority streams for riparian area restoration and by creating habitat for Eastern Hellbenders to nest.

We are monitoring water quality, sedimentation and in-stream habitat at sites where we know hellbenders occur to detect degradation of habitat and to identify priority areas for conservation.

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We have developed a citizen science program to train people to collect eDNA samples for detecting Eastern Hellbenders in the Little Tennessee watershed.

APPALACHIAN STREAMS We are working to restore Appalachian streams by partnering with private landowners and interest groups to restore riparian areas and stream corridors by removing invasive plants, reintroducing prescribed fire and excluding cattle from streams.

We are restoring degraded streams by stabilizing streambanks and increasing forest cover. Priority sites for restoration will be in reaches connecting current hellbender populations. In coordination with partners, we will reach out to landowners to initiate restoration projects by demonstrating the overall value of healthy streams for both people and nature.

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The southern Appalachians are a global hotspot for aquatic diversity. However, sedimentation, pollution and stream diversion are causing healthy stream habitats to decline.

We are working with cattle farmers to restore and protect riparian areas through cattle exclusion from streams. We have completed a project at an Eastern Hellbender site in North Georgia in partnership with Rabun Gap Nacoochee School.

We plan to work with focus groups to build partnerships to increase our riparian area restoration activities to support healthy Appalachian streams.

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Photo: Pete Oxford

The abundant water in the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem combined with a warm climate encouraged human settlement. Clean and clear streams were water sources for households, livestock and agriculture. Today most streams in this ecosystem have been impacted in some way by humans. Riparian areas have been drained, cut or turned into agriculture. Livestock are often allowed into streams causing streamside erosion. Erosion leads to sedimentation in the waterway, filling in much of the rocky substrate that salamanders and fish depend on.

WHAT WE DO

TIMBER RATTLESNAKES Timber Rattlesnakes are often one of the last remaining top predators in the landscapes they inhabit and are true symbols of the wild places in eastern North America. Despite this, Timber Rattlesnakes are heavily persecuted throughout their range and are often the subject of indiscriminate killing.

VIPER SPECIALIST GROUP Photo: Pete Oxford

Venomous snakes are perhaps the most misunderstood and persecuted group of all wildlife species. An extremely poor understanding of their basic biology and widely-held negative perception makes venomous snakes one of the highest conservation priorities. However, there are relatively few efforts to conserve venomous snakes as compared to other species of wildlife. One group of venomous snakes, the vipers, are widely distributed on all continents except Australia and Antarctica and are the most commonly encountered venomous snake in many parts of the world. Vipers represent nine percent of all snake species globally, but they represent 20 percent of the 226 species listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Vipers are important components of ecological food webs and have important cultural values, and thus worthy of conservation.

Photo: Kevin Stohlgren

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Photo: Pete Oxford

GLOBAL VIPER CONSERVATION

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Viper Specialist Group (VSG) is a consortium of viper conservation biologists from around the globe. The VSG is responsible for assessing the status of all viper species and publishing the results from these assessments in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

SAVING ENDANGERED SPECIES from EXTINCTION The Orianne Society recognizes the need to conserve viper species on a global level. Many viper species are threatened with extinction due to factors such as human persecution, climate change and habitat loss.

Added to this is the fact that they do not receive adequate protection and are rarely considered a species worthy of conservation.

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Female Timber Rattlesnakes reach sexual maturity late in life and do not reproduce annually, resulting in low population recruitment for these long-lived animals.

We plan to use radio-telemetry to track Timber Rattlesnakes back to their overwintering sites in the Southeast. By understanding their winter habitat requirements, we can prioritize conservation activities to incorporate both summer and winter habitats and prioritize land acquisition.

The Timber Rattlesnake is a species that is long-lived and that does not reach sexual maturity until later in life. Female Timber Rattlesnakes rarely reproduce every year. These snakes are faced with a myriad of threats that limit their lifespan. These threats coupled with their low reproductive output result in not only low adult survivorship but also very low recruitment rates.

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Photo: Kevin Stohlgren

The most significant things we are doing to conserve the Timber Rattlesnake are protecting upland habitats where populations still exist, educating the public about the importance of this species and providing expertise for regional conservation planning efforts.

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Aside from human persecution, threats to Timber Rattlesnakes include habitat fragmentation, which puts this species in dangerous places such as roads and agricultural areas. In addition, they are susceptible to disease, such as the recently found Snake Fungal Disease, which can be lethal.

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We launched an effort to monitor Timber Rattlesnake populations in the North Carolina and Georgia portions of the southern Appalachians. This monitoring program is the first of its kind in the region and will be an important component of our conservation program for the species by allowing us to track the status of their populations.

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Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are the flagship species of our Global Viper Conservation Initiative and are arguably one of the most heavily-persecuted and endangered vertebrates in North America, primarily due to human fear.

While bites from Timber Rattlesnakes can harm people, such bites are extremely rare and usually are the result of a person harassing or attempting to kill the snake.

WHAT WE DO

We are monitoring for Snake Fungal Disease in Vermont populations of Timber Rattlesnakes. In addition, we documented the first case of fungal disease in North Georgia and are now surveying for the disease more broadly in the southern Appalachians. This is very important as little is known about this disease, which could be as significant as white nose syndrome is to bats.

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We give at least six public programs on rattlesnake biology each year. These programs are interactive and teach audiences about Timber Rattlesnakes.

VIPER SPECIALIST GROUP The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Viper Specialist Group (VSG) is a consortium of viper conservation biologists from around the globe. The Orianne Society founded VSG and plays a critical role coordinating its activities.

There are greater than 250 viper species located worldwide, with the exception of Australia and Antarctica. Because they are secretive by nature, difficult to study, and usually considered a low conservation priority, vipers may be declining faster than we realize.

Sixteen percent of the world’s vipers are classified as vulnerable to or endangered with extinction, and given that many species have not yet been assessed, this number is likely to rise.

The VSG is the only entity solely focused on the conservation of vipers. The group is responsible for assessing the status of all viper species and publishing the results from these assessments in the IUCN Red List as well as developing conservation action plans for endangered vipers.

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The Viper Specialist Group is led by a chairman and vice-chairman who direct a group of regional coordinators who keep abreast of and help implement viper conservation efforts within the following regions: North America, Mesoamerica, South America, Europe/ North Asia, Asia, North Africa/West Asia and Africa.

Photo: Kevin Stohlgren

The VSG recently published the only work ever done to identify global conservation priorities for vipers. This paper was published in Biological Conservation and is setting the bar by outlining conservation priority hotspots for vipers.

Vipers are amazing animals that can illicit many responses ranging from fear and loathing to awe. They play critical roles in our ecosystems as predator and prey. They keep these systems whole. But despite this, they are often forgotten when it comes to conservation and are considered too dangerous to warrant any conservation effort.

The Orianne Society recognizes the need to stop the decline in viper species and is answering the call to conservation.

We are working to prevent endangered vipers from going extinct by partnering with local organizations to develop and implement much-needed species recovery plans.

SAVING ENDANGERED VIPERS

YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN Our supporters are the backbone of our organization, and we cannot accomplish all we do without your support. As a supporter you allow us to continue important projects such as our mark-recapture studies for Spotted Turtles and analyzing environmental DNA samples to monitor Eastern Hellbender populations. There are many ways to give—at any level, your support is invaluable.

As you plan for your own future, you can include the animals and habitats you care about conserving into your plans. Whether you prefer to set up an annual donation or a deferred gift, we can work with you to determine what you want your gift to support and will inform you on how it will benefit the species and landscapes we work to conserve.

In addition to making direct contributions to The Orianne Society, you can donate gifts of stocks, bonds or mutual funds to help our conservation efforts.

Word of mouth and social media are crucial to our work— the more people that know about what we’re doing, the more we are able to do for conservation!

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The cost of conservation can be a high price to pay. The Orianne Society is dedicated to these efforts, but part of our strategy is determining whether a project or conservation action is cost effective based on the need. Endowments ensure the work we are doing continues long into the future and that the species we are working to conserve survive with these efforts. We can work with you to set up an endowment or to make any donation you choose, whether you would like to restrict it to an initiative or make an unrestricted donation.

Spotted Salamander Membership: $35 • Car Decal • Invitations to Exclusive Events • Monthly E-newsletters

• Bi-yearly Magazines (electronic) • Annual Report (electronic) • Bragging Rights!

Wood Turtle Membership: $100

In addition to the $35 member benefits, you’ll have the option to receive one of the following: • Printed Magazines and Reports • Limited Edition Print

Contact us for more information about the many ways you can make a difference for the landscapes and animals we are working to conserve and protect: Call: 706-224-1359 Email: info@oriannesociety.org Visit: www.OrianneSociety.org

Indigo Snake Membership: $150

In addition to the $35 member benefits, you’ll receive both the: • Printed Magazines and Reports • Limited Edition Print

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@OrianneSociety

Cover Photo: Pete Oxford

The Orianne Society 11 Old Fruit Stand Lane Tiger, GA 30576 706-224-1359 info@oriannesociety.org www.OrianneSociety.org