Since the launch of PARS we have received thousands upon thousands of voucher photos, many of which are outstanding examples of wildlife photography. Among these, certain photos always stand out; either for outstanding clarity, composition, behavior of the subject, or other possible reasons. We would like to start showcasing the quality of our best photographers with an annual photography contest. Entrants in of the categories listed below will compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards, and winning photographs will appear in the last newsletter issue of each year until 2022. First place winners may see their winning photographs in, or on the cover of a future PARS newsletter, or possibly in the final publication for the PARS project. One photograph will be chosen as the ‘Best of Show’ grand prize winner each year. Photographs will be judged on composition, creativity and clarity of the shot.
2nd Annual Photography Contest
Since the launch of PARS we have received thousands upon thousands of voucher photos, many of which are outstanding examples of wildlife photography. Among these, certain photos always stand out; either for outstanding clarity, composition, behavior of the subject, or other possible reasons. We would like to start showcasing the quality of our best photographers with an annual photography contest. Entrants in of the categories listed below will compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards, and winning photographs will appear in the last newsletter issue of each year until 2022. First place winners may see their winning photographs in, or on the cover of a future PARS newsletter, or possibly in the final publication for the PARS project. One photograph will be chosen as the ‘Best of Show’ grand prize winner each year. Photographs will be judged on composition, creativity and clarity of the shot.
1st Annual Photography Contest Winners
Behavior Category Winners
PARS 3rd ANNUAL MEETING
The third Annual PARS Membership Meeting is scheduled for March 25,2017 and will be held in Annville, PA. Featured speakers will include David McNaughton – Fort Indiantown Gap Office of Wildlife & Conservation,
Nathan Nazdrowicz – University of Delaware, and Kurt Regester – Clarion University.
Pre-registration is required. Members login to RSVP.
#GivingTuesday
Help support Pennsylvania’s endangered and threatened reptile and amphibian species on #GivingTuesday. Donate to the conservation efforts of The Mid-Atlantic Center for Herpetology and Conservation (MACHAC) & The Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS).
Or visit our Hellbender Project to learn more about how we are helping to preserve this wonderful species.
PARS PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Since the launch of PARS we have received thousands upon thousands of voucher photos, many of which are outstanding examples of wildlife photography. Among these, certain photos stand out, whether it be for exceptional clarity, composition, behavior of the subject, or other reasons. We would like to start showcasing the quality of our best photographers with an annual photography contest. Entrants in the categories listed below will compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards, and winning photographs will appear in the last newsletter issue of each year until 2022. First place winners may see their winning photographs in or on the cover of a future PARS newsletter, or possibly in the final publication for the PARS project. One photograph will be chosen as the ‘Best of Show’ grand prizewinner each year. Photographs will be judged on composition, creativity and clarity of the shot. Prizes are limited to certificates and ribbons, but you will achieve the esteem of the herping community.
Pittburgh Tribune Review Article about PARS
A recent article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review outdoors writer Bob Frye interviews a few of our Coordinators: Ed Patterson, Mark Lethaby Chris Urban, Brandon Ruhe and Jason Poston about the PARS Project.
In what often seems to be an ever-shrinking world, there’s still room for discovery.
Ed Patterson can speak to that.
Director of Indiana County’s parks system, he has been prowling those and other lands with purpose of late. He’s finding more than might be expected, too.
Read the Full Article: Citizen science meets technology in unique herpetology survey
New Timesheet System
Yesterday we launched a new timesheet system on PARS. The new system should be easier and less complicated for volunteers. The new system will eliminate the need to sign and submit separate timesheets on a monthly basis. Instead, volunteer hour timesheet submissions are embedded in the “Add Record” form and an e-signature is applied for each day when submitting your record. You can review your timesheets under My Account.
When you select a date that has no former records submitted, a timesheet box will appear on the bottom of the “Add Record” form.
Enter all time spent volunteering on that date. Upon hitting the submit button you acknowledge that you are signing a daily timesheet that will be generated for PARS volunteer match.
Once you have submitted time for a date, you will not be prompted to submit volunteer hours on additional records with the same date.
To see your time for the month or previous months you can go to the My Account button and select the Timesheet Forms button.
Here you will be able to see the time you have entered for the current month or select a previous month to view and/or download a CSV of that month.
If you spent time herping but collected no records, participated in a PARS/MACHAC event or other activities that count as volunteer time, you can use the “Extra Volunteer Time” form by clicking the “Add Extra Time” button.
In the “Extra Time Submission Form” you will be asked to enter the date you volunteered, the total time , the activity (if you do not see an appropriate choice, choose “Other”).
Upcoming Events – Spring 2015
For some exciting new scheduled events coming up for PARS for the year. Open to the public and volunteers, join us for our PARS Introductory Presentation, PARS Workshops and Herp Walks. We hope to see you there.
March 7, 7:00 p.m. – Swamp Tromp in the Moonlight, Bucks County
Heritage Conservancy Preserved Property in Quakertown (directions given at registration) To register, contact: Tammy, 215-345-7020, ext. 107
For details, contact Kyle Loucks:
Saturday, April 11 – PARS info table at Lehigh Valley Zoo
150 GAME PRESERVE ROAD, SCHNECKSVILLE, PA 18078
For details, contact Kyle Loucks:
April 18, 10:00 a.m. – PARS Introductory & Herp Walk – Indiana County
Pine Ridge Park @ Pine Lodge 857 Chestnut Ridge Rd Blairsville, 15717
For details contact Ed Patterson:
April 18, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm – PARS Volunteer Workshop Erie County
Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Rd, Erie, PA 16506 http://asburywoods.org/
Call (814) 833-7215 to make reservations.
For details contact Mark Lethaby:
April 25 – HerpBlitz, Fulton County –
details to be announced Contact Tom Pluto:
April 25, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. PARS info table at the Lancaster Native Plant and Wildlife Festival
Overlook Park, 595 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601
For details, contact Jake Cramer:
May 2, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – PARS Volunteer Workshop & Survey, Wayne County
Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel, 18436 www.lacawac.org
Call (570) 689-9494 to make reservations.
For details contact Marlin Corn:
May 15, 7:00 p.m. – PARS Update to the Lancaster Herpetological Society, Lancaster County
Manheim Township Public Library, 595 Granite Run Dr., Lancaster, 17601
For details contact Kyle Loucks:
May 16-17 – Climber’s Run Bioblitz, Lancaster County
226 Frogtown Road, Pequea, PA.
– details to be announced
For details contact Marlin Corn:
June 27, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – PARS Volunteer Workshop and Survey, Susquehanna County
Salt Springs State Park – Meet at the Wheaton House near the park’s main parking area
Call or email to register: 570.967.7275
For details contact Marlin Corn:
June 28, 1:00 p.m. – “Gone Herping! Nature Walk” ,York County
Richard M. Nixon County Park Nature Center, 5922 Nixon Drive, York, PA 17403
For details contact Kyle Loucks,
July 11, 7:30 a.m. – Herp walk, Delaware County Glen Providence Park,
500 Block of West State Street, Media, PA For details contact Kyle Loucks,
PARC Newsletter, MACHAC/PARS Featured
See the August edition of the Year of The Salamander from PARC. MACHAC President Brandon Ruhe was the August organizer for the newsletter and wrote the newsletter for PARC with contributions from the PARS team, Mary Beth Kolzsvary PARC YoSAL coordinator, and editing and organization by the PARC Year of the Salamander editorial committee. 
Download Newsletter