Our History

The Tucson Herpetological Society started as a result of a meeting, on December 29, 1987, of a group of individuals with a common interest in herpetology. This group, comprised of Steve Hale, Dave Hardy, Sr., Dave Hyatt, Jim Jarchow, Marcia Lincoln, Hugh McCrystal, Howard Lawler and Frank Retes, decided to establish a local herpetological society in Tucson.

Our initial goal was to hold monthly meetings with presentations on reptiles and amphibians. The first such meeting was held in January 1988. Since then THS has become incorporated as a non-profit organization, published a monthly newsletter, opened a student chapter on the University of Arizona campus, and developed a range of educational outreach programs and educational publications.

And together with cooperation of or in collaboration with the entities noted below, the THS has made strides in the preservation of amphibian and reptile species and associated habitats, addressed protection from (control or management of) regulation concerning invasive species, and recommended harvest restrictions for certain species of amphibians and reptiles.

Our Future

Our ongoing mission is to promote herpetological conservation, education, and research in the Sonoran Desert region. The THS has earned the reputation as being the foremost research and conservation-based herpetological society in the nation. We will continue to educate our members on the animals we love through our monthly meetings, publications, and website.