IN-PERSON: The Elderwise classroom at the Vineyard Church
Zoos serve as hubs of conservation, research, and education, aimed at preserving the diversity of wildlife on our planet. Amphibians and reptiles are in decline globally, and are critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems. Our presenters will cover the global importance of these species, and the ways in which zoos are trying to prevent their extinction. Alyssa and Zach are graduate students at Eastern Michigan University with years of wildlife experience between them. They study amphibian and reptile conservation broadly, with research emphasis on snake conservation in zoos. Alyssa Schwarzenberg is interested in animal welfare, and studies the temperature preference of the critically endangered Aruba Island rattlesnake. Zachary Johnson is interested in captive breeding, and works on the genetic diversity of the endangered copperbelly water snake.
