The History of Minnesota Herpetological Society -Minnesota Herpetological Society

The History of Minnesota Herpetological Society

History of the MHS

MHS was founded in response to the interest expressed at the herpetological symposium "Ecology of Reptiles and Amphibians in Minnesota" in March of 1981. Delvin Jones presented a talk titled "Wanted - A Minnesota Herpetological Society." From this a small group of people interested in amphibians and reptiles formed the basis for a herpetological society. The inaugural meeting occurred in May of 1981 where founder Delvin Jones became the first President. The first goal of the Society was to increase membership to a level where it would be self-sustaining. One of the early projects of this fledgling group was performing fieldwork with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Other projects included advising the State Legislature on regulation issues. MHS established an adoption and education program for the benefit of both the general public and the Society. Fran Frisch, another early President, provided the impetus to start the now famous Midwestern Herpetological Symposium in 1985. MHS formed a student organization within the University of Minnesota in 1988. MHS became incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1990.

Currently, MHS has close to five hundred members. Our monthly meeting attendance is over one third of the membership. We have an unusually large percentage of active volunteers who continue to advance the goals of MHS. Education and volunteer projects continue to support conservation of our native herpetofauna. Members volunteer thousands of hours each year performing public education programs at various locations including the Bell Museum of Natural History, Renaissance Festival, local fairs, nature centers and schools.

A rattlesnake pictograph from the LaMollie Cave near Winona, MN.

For more information read: "Herpetology in Minnesota and the History of the Minnesota Herpetological Society" by Delvin Jones. Published in Minnesota's Amphibians and Reptiles: Their Conservation and Status edited by John J. Moriarty and Delvin Jones. Copyright Š1997 Serpent's Tale Natural History Book Distributors.