NEPARC: Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

What is the organizational structure of NEPARC?

The driving force of NEPARC is the working groups, which are formed to work on specific projects. Please view the individual working group webpages of this website to see what NEPARC working groups are currently active, what they are working on, and who the group's leaders are. To join a working group, contact the group's leader.

NEPARC is managed by two co-chair positions, each serving a two-year term. The co-chairs are responsible for representing NEPARC to national PARC and chairing the Steering Committee. In addition, NEPARC has an Editorial Board. See below for more information on responsibilities and membership of these committees.

NEPARC Steering Committee

The Steering Committee assists co-chairs with strategic planning and communicating with working groups. The Steering Committee is composed of members representing the various partners (state and federal agencies, academia, and other organizations). The Steering Committee members are elected during our annual meetings. The current Steering Committee members are:

• Lori Erb (Massachusetts DFW - Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program)
• Mark Ferguson (Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• Glenn Johnson (SUNY Potsdam)
• John Kleopfer (NEPARC co-chair, Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries)
• Mary Beth Kolozsvary (New York State Biodiversity Research Institute)
• Mike Marchand ( New Hampshire Fish & Game)
• Holly Niederriter (NEPARC co-chair, Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife)
• Priya Nanjappa Mitchell (PARC States Agencies Coordinator)
• Duncan Simpson (Towson University)
• Scott Smith (Maryland DNR-Wildlife & Heritage)
• Valorie Titus (Binghamton University)
• Chris Urban (2008 meeting host, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission)
• Tina Walther (2008 meeting host, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission)
• Linda Weir (USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center)
• Alison Whitlock (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
• Meredith Whitney (The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore)

NEPARC Editorial Board

The Editorial Board is responsible for review and approval of proposed NEPARC products. Working groups submit draft products to the Editorial Board for review. Once a product has been approved, it can be distributed as a NEPARC and/or PARC product. Working groups should submit draft documents to the Editorial Board chair, Valorie Titus, who will facilitate the review process and act as liaision between the steering committee, editorial board, and working group.

• Bob Cook (National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore)
• Glenn Johnson (SUNY Potsdam)
• Mary Beth Kolozsvary (New York State Biodiversity Research Institute)
• Joe Mitchell (Mitchell Ecological Research Service)
• Joel Snodgrass (Towson University)
• Valorie Titus (editorial board chair, Binghamton University)
• Meredith Whitney (The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore)
• Alison Whitlock (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

What is PARC?

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) is an inclusive partnership dedicated to the conservation of herpetofauna--reptiles and amphibians--and their habitats. Our membership comes from all walks of life and includes individuals from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, museums, pet trade industry, nature centers, zoos, energy industry, universities, herpetological organizations, research laboratories, forest industries, and environmental consultants. Visit the PARC website for more information.