Global Amphibian Declines and Conservation Efforts

A University of Georgia ecologist will describe the battle to save imperiled amphibians when the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society holds its next meeting, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

Scott Connelly, an assistant professor with UGA’s Odum School of Ecology, will speak on “Disease-Driven Global Amphibian Declines and Conservation Efforts.” Connelly will focus specifically on Central America, where he has done much of his teaching and research. He has taught a number of courses at UGA’s Costa Rica Campus, including tropical field ecology and conservation biology.

Connelly’s research interests include amphibian population decline, stream water quality issues in Costa Rica, and captive amphibian husbandry. He received the School of Ecology’s Outstanding Doctoral Presentation award before earning his Ph.D. in 2009.

Connelly has served as field technician and supervisor with Zoo Atlanta’s Amphibian Recovery and Conservation Coalition, worked as a naturalist field guide at Sandy Creek Nature Center and coordinated the EcoReach environmental education outreach program in the Clarke County School District and in Atlanta.

The meeting will be held in the Nature Center’s Education and Visitor Center, 205 Old Commerce Road off U.S. Highway 441 north of Athens. To reach the nature center from the Loop 10 bypass, exit at U.S. Highway 441/Commerce Road and turn north toward Commerce. Go approximately a mile, turn left at the Sandy Creek Nature Center sign and go to the end of the road. Turn left at Old Commerce Road; parking for the Education and Visitor Center will be on the right.