Grantee: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

Duration: January 2025 – March 2026

Amphibians and reptiles (collectively known as ‘herps’) are a unique group of iconic species. In Scotland, there are six different amphibian species (from the common frog to the rare ‘smooth newt’) and three (possibly four) reptile species (such as adder and slow-worm).

The conservation status of herps in Scotland is currently unknown, yet they play crucial roles in the ecosystems where they live and also act as indicator species for the wider health of our environment.

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) is a UK-based charity dedicated to amphibian and reptile conservation. ARC’s mission is to ‘safeguard healthy populations of amphibians and repitles and the habitats on which they depend, and to enthuse and involve more people in their conservation.’ Their Scotland project, ‘Saving Scotlands Amphibians and Repitles’ (SSAAR), has been running since 2021, with an aim to better understand the state of herps in Scotland through monitoring citizen science programmes, research projects and widening engagement through partnerships, dedicated inclusion activities, and continuing to scale their engagement activities with  young people and communities.

The Project

A new ARC project, awarded a grant of £8,952 by HIEF, looks to engage crofters and growers across the Highlands and Islands with amphibian and reptile conservation. Specifically, it looks to co-design a management guide with advice to creating and enhancing habitats for herps on crofts.

Working closely with the Scottish Crofting Federation – the project will involve:

• Co-designed workshops with crofters/growers
• The design and production of crofter-specific management guidance as a digital and physical resource
• Further workshops for training and official launch of the guide
• Promotion of the guide through social media and partnerships

As there is more than 750,000 hectares of land tenured for crofting (roughly 5x the size of Greater London), there is enormous potential for positive amphibian and reptile management and the added benefits this will bring to biodidiveristy.