The University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute recently wrapped up its Empowering Youth in Herpetology Conservation program, an initiative aimed at engaging Wyoming’s next generation of conservationists. Funded by a grant from Wyoming Youth for Natural Resources, this hands-on program introduced students to the fascinating world of Wyoming’s native reptiles and amphibians while fostering stewardship and conservation awareness.

“This program was such a fun and rewarding experience,” said Senior Project Coordinator Mason Lee. “It was a blast to connect with the next generation of Wyoming decision makers and help their passion for reptiles and amphibians grow.”

Over seven weeks, eleven students (ages 8-12) participated in interactive workshops and field trips designed to immerse them in the world of herpetology. Through expert-led sessions, students learned to identify Wyoming’s reptiles and amphibians, met the Biodiversity Institute’s ambassador animals, and worked on designing custom enclosures to enhance animal welfare and public education.

The students participated in a field trip to sagebrush habitat near Saratoga, where they conducted surveys for horned lizards and collected habitat data. The young conservationists found 10 horned lizards and collected habitat data, deepening their understanding of species behavior and ecosystem needs.

A highlight of the program was the students’ collaborative project to design and build improved enclosures for the Biodiversity Institute’s ambassador reptiles and amphibians. In the UW Makerspace, they designed and built hiding structures for the animals to feel safe, custom food bowls to prevent substrate ingestion, water bowls and climbing structures to encourage natural behaviors, and live native plants they grew from seed in the UW Williams Conservatory to mimic real-world ecosystems. “The idea was to replicate the ecosystem where the BI’s ambassadors can be found, so that the ambassadors can engage in natural behaviors,” said Lee. 

As an extension of the program, a middle school student from Laramie Montessori interned with the Biodiversity Institute to design a larger enclosure for a bullsnake, Wyoming’s longest snake. This final project ensured that all ambassador animals now reside in thoughtfully designed habitats that promote natural behaviors while educating visitors about their ecological importance.

“All animals have settled into their new homes, and it is so fun to watch them dig, climb, swim, and explore their enclosures. The students did a really incredible job of putting together enclosures that were visually appealing for visitors, but still serve the needs of the animals. These animals are now on display in enclosures that teach visitors,” said Lee.

The completed enclosures can be viewed in the Berry Center’s Kid’s Corner on the first floor and the Biodiversity Institute office on the second floor. This program not only provided an enriching experience for young participants but also left a lasting impact on the ambassador animals’ well-being and visitor education.

“I hope these students will come back often to see the ambassador animals thriving in their new homes that the students lovingly built for them, and I hope these students carry their love of reptiles and amphibians with them through life,” said Lee.

Throughout the program, the students also engaged with professionals across multiple disciplines:

• Alyssa Baldwin, a UW graduate student, introduced students to beaver dams and their importance for amphibian habitats

• Mo White, a landscape architect, guided students in designing visually appealing yet functional enclosures.

• Wendy Estes-Zumpf, Wyoming Game & Fish Department’s herpetologist, provided training and field herping tools to safely catch (toy) snakes and lizards. 

For more information about the Biodiversity Institute’s outreach programs, visit wyobiodiversity.org 

Share This Post