The Tucson Herpetological Society

TUCSON HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY 1988-1998: A SHORT HISTORY

by David L. Hardy, Sr.

From Sonoran Herpetologist, February 1998

In the late 1970's to mid 1980's, groups of individuals interested in reptiles and amphibians met at varying intervals and locations around Tucson. Talks were usual, but occasionally conservation issues in Arizona were discussed. Attendance was 20-30 individuals.

In the fall of 1987, during a telephone conversation with Dave Hyatt*, I mentioned my longing for a regional herpetological society in Tucson. Hyatt encouraged me to move ahead on the idea and lead the organization of such a group. Since I had no experience along these lines and was intimidated by the prospect of editing a monthly newsletter, I had my doubts. Dave said he had a Macintosh computer (no hard drive) on which he could produce text and hardcopy with his dot-matrix printer. We would physically cut and paste in our initial newsletters. As I made clear to Hyatt, I wanted to form a society based on monthly talks by local herpetologists on their research or interests concerning herps of the region, a newsletter with original articles (when possible), and with no live animals at meetings to show, sell or trade. The founding of the society was in no small part due to the enthusiasm and hard work of co-founder Dave Hyatt. Since the Arizona Herpetological Society had been in existence for many years at this point, we searched for a more regional name and came up with what seemed logical - Tucson Herpetological Society.

To alleviate my fears, I called Jim Murphy, Curator of Reptiles at the Dallas Zoo, for advice and I hoped, some encouragement. As usual Jim was forthright, indicating although a good idea, a new society was statistically doomed to failure. The life history of a new regional herp society was usually a demise in three years or less, as the founding members lost their enthusiasm for often thankless efforts. Our proposal would fail sooner because without live animals at meetings many members would loose interest quickly. (Murphy's admonitions were as correct then as they are now.) Other herpetologist friends were enthusiastic, but doubtful of success for such a group in Tucson. After all, a Tucson society based on a common interest in kingsnake herpetoculture in the 1970's had been short lived (Tom Van Devender, pers. comm.)

On December 30, 1987, Steve Hale, Dave Hardy, Sr., Dave Hyatt, Jim Jarchow, Marcia Lincoln, Hugh McCrystal, Howard Lawler, and Frank Retes met to discuss the feasibility of founding a regional herpetological society. A general meeting was held on 19 January 1988 at the Tucson Botanical Gardens to see just how much enthusiasm there was for similar monthly meetings. The response was beyond expectations as an audience of 68 showed up for a presentation entitled the "Herpetofauna of Costa Rica". By April the membership had reached 111.

Our first newsletters were pretty pathetic, but by the third issue in April, Dennis Caldwell had won the contest for a society logo (22 entries by 6 artists) and the Tucson banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus bogerti) first appeared on the masthead. By issue number 9 in October, the front page took on the appearance of the current Sonoran Herpetologist.

Many individuals have contributed over the past 10 years to making THS a success. It is a daunting exercise to give due credit to those who are deserving, but it is a worthwhile endeavor so here goes.

Dave Hyatt got everything going by prodding me to move ahead. He and Dennis Caldwell also helped initiate the newsletter which was so important in communicating to society members. Dan Beck served as our first Secretary and raised funds through the society's sale of his classic 6-Gila monster t-shirt (has there been a more popular herp t-shirt?). Marcia Lincoln served as Treasurer and Secretary for many years and her mother, Felicia Lincoln, was one of our first Life Members. Through the efforts of Jude McNally, the Arizona Poison Center also became an early Life Member. Dan Turner, Tucson attorney, made it possible for THS to become a 501c3 non-profit organization and he also served on the first Board of Directors.

*1988 Board: Pres. Dave Hardy, Sr., VPres. Dave Hyatt, Sec. Dan Beck, Treas. Marcia Lincoln. Directors: Steve Hale, Jim Jarchow, Howard Lawler, Hugh McCrystal, Frank Retes, and Dan Turner.

Dennis Caldwell not only has provided the majority of the art work so important to our publications, including the "Collected Papers", but has attended nearly every Board meeting and headed up the Conservation Committee. This committee has done many good things, including Dennis' artistic talent in the creation of the THS Coloring Book and the flat-tailed horned lizard t-shirt. The popular "Living with Rattlesnakes" brochure was produced in collaboration with member Patti Mahaney.

Roger Repp has been active with the society since the beginning and because of his strong interest in conservation education in the community, the Speakers Bureau was formed in early 1990, and has been directed by Roger ever since. He has served as a Director and President (2 years), and has worked on many projects over the years, one of the most important being the flat-tailed horned lizard conservation project.

Jim Jarchow has supported THS from the beginning and served as its second President. Besides many presentations at THS meetings, Jim Jarchow's dedication as veterinarian/herpetologist/conservationist inspired the Jarchow Conservation Award created in his honor. Dr. Jarchow was the first recipient of this award.

In those early days, Steve McCusker was the new Director of the Reid Park Zoo in 1988, and helped the society by providing support, meeting locations at the Reid Park Assembly Hall and in the classroom of the Zoo Administration Building, and by making a presentation to the society on the future of the Reid Park Zoo. McCusker is currently Director of the San Antonio Zoo. We have returned to this meeting site again in recent years due to the generosity of Zoo Director Susan Basford.

Since original articles would enhance the newsletter, in August 1988 I began recording and transcribing presentations and sending them to speakers for their final editing. Since then, many articles in the THS Newsletter and SH are the result of this technique. Eventually, THS published the Collected Papers of the Tucson Herpetological Society: 1988-1991 which contained 60 articles, letters and cartoons by 45 authors. The 250 copies were produced by member volunteers, and the publication has been out of print for some time (a rare copy will be in the THS Silent Auction to be held in March). A $3,400 investment in this project netted the society $1,000 in revenue.

*1989 Board: P. Dave Hardy, VP. Dave Hyatt, S. Dan Beck, T. Marcia Lincoln. Directors: Steve Hale, Jim Jarchow, Hugh McCrystal, Howard Lawler, Frank Retes, and Dan Turner.

*1990 Board: P. Jim Jarchow, VP. Dan Beck, S. Marcia Lincoln, T. Fred Wilson. Directors: Dennis Caldwell, Dave Hyatt, Craig Ivanyi, Howard Lawler, Hugh McCrystal, and Roger Repp.

We moved to new meeting sites in February 1990. After one meeting at the Wood Memorial Library, meetings were held at the AGFD office on Greasewood. Craig Ivanyi was active with the Speakers Bureau, and in organizing THS exhibits at environment meetings for the public in the Tucson area, e.g. Earth Day 1990. Kim Duffek, Kelly Ivanyi, McCrystal, and Lynn Ramsey also participated. Our informational brochure telling the public about THS was written and designed by Duffek and distributed for the first time. The THS t-shirt became available in April 1990 with the novel and unique art work by Caldwell. Since then, it has been reproduced several times; each time generating revenue for the society. The production and sale of THS t-shirts, mugs and caps is a credit to the efforts of Caldwell.

Richard Felger suggested our journal/newsletter should have a name-for recognition and citation purposes. The Board came up with the name (I can't remember who suggested the name finally chosen). Dennis Caldwell produced the masthead that so nicely complimented his original society logo. The first issue of Sonoran Herpetologist appeared in May 1990.

*Board 1991: P. Craig Ivanyi, VP. Fred Wilson, S. Marcia Lincoln, T. Roger Repp. Directors: Dennis Caldwell, Kim Duffek, Dave Hyatt, Travis LaDuc, Jude McNally and Frank Retes.

The Student Chapter of THS was established at the University of Arizona by Travis LaDuc. Travis has been a member of THS since he was a senior in high school (now a PhD candidate at the University of Texas, Austin working on the phylogeny of rattlesnakes.)

Distribution (folding and posting) of SH was taken over by Fred Wilson in 1991, and he has continued this dedicated service to the society ever since.

*Board 1992: P. Fred Wilson, VP. Roger Repp, S. Marcia Lincoln, T. Jude McNally. Directors: Bob Brandner, Ted Crawford, Kim Duffek, Travis LaDuc, and Frank Retes.

In January 1992, Jan Perry-Richardson assumed the position of Editor of Sonoran Herpetologist, and remained as Editor for the next four years. Jan was newly arrived in Tucson joining the Staff at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and her willingness to assume a job no one wanted was remarkable.

In January 1992, the meeting site moved to the University Medical Center.

*Board 1993: P. Bob McCord II, VP Jude McNally, S. Michael Peterson, T. Roger Repp. Directors: Bob Brandner, Ted Crawford, Dave Hardy, Jan Perry-Richardson, Frank Retes, and Cecil Schwalbe.

The meeting place changed once again and THS returned to the Reid Park Zoo Administration Building for the December 1993 meeting.

*Board 1994: P. Bob Brandner, VP. Dennis Caldwell, S. Jan Perry-Richardson, T. Roger Repp. Directors: John Ginter, Dave Hardy, Trevor Hare, Renée Lizotte, Cecil Schwalbe, and Fred Wilson.

The THS Reptile Information Line was established by Bob Brandner in May 1994. Brandner also suggested the creation of a THS Youth Group at the September 1994 Board Meeting. Trevor Hare and Jude McNally signed on to assist in making it a success.

In September 1994, Roger Repp was the recipient of the 2nd Jarchow Conservation Award.

*Board 1995: P. Bob Brandner, VP. Dennis Caldwell, S. Jan Perry-Richardson, T. Roger Repp. Directors: Russell Duncan, John Ginter, Trevor Hare, Renée Lizotte, Brent Martin, and Fred Wilson.

In January 1995, THS campaigned against a petition before the AGF Commission allowing the commercialization of 5 species of native Arizona snakes. On January 27, Hardy represented the society's position at the Commission meeting, and among many others, was last to speak . The petition was denied.

*Board 1996: P. Roger Repp, VP. Trevor Hare, S. Jan Perry, T. John Ginter. Directors: Russell Duncan, Erik Enderson, Brent Martin, Bill Savary, Jeff Seminoff, and Fred Wilson.

January 1996, Hardy reassumed duties as Editor of SH. Jeff Seminoff led the UofA THS Student Chapter. In May 1996, Bill Savary created a THS homepage on the Internet which has since become one of the best of its kind on the WWW. In July, THS and member Dale Turner initiated a conservation project on behalf of the flat-tailed horned lizard. The primary thrust is the current lawsuit against the USFWS, joining the Defenders of Wildlife as plaintiffs.

*Board 1997: P. Roger Repp, VP. Trevor Hare, S. Erik Enderson, T. John Ginter. Directors: Matt Goode, Phil Rosen, Bill Savary, Jeff Seminoff, Allison Titcomb and Dale Turner.

On 16 September 1997, Cecil Schwalbe was recipient of the 3rd Jarchow Conservation Award.

Finally, I would like to thank Roger Repp, Trevor Hare, Allison Titcomb, Jim Jarchow, Cecil Schwalbe, Wade Sherbrooke, Harry Greene and all those in attendance at the last meeting for the overwhelming tribute I was given. I didn't expect it and I doubt I am deserving, but I do know I appreciated it very much. Obviously, the old cliché holds: I've gotten more from the society and those associated with it than I ever put into it. The increasing involvement and dedication of members toward the many activities of the society is immensely gratifying. Thank you all!

David Hardy, Sr.