NEW HAVEN — The New Haven Conservation Commission will hold its first Armchair Naturalist talk of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Town Offices on North Street. The talk, “Let’s get Wet,” by Jim Andrews, will focus on the amphibians of New Haven. 
New Haven has a wide variety of amphibians, including some rare species. It also has one of the most significant amphibian road-crossing areas in the state. Topics will include the identification, natural history, and conservation of a selection of New Haven species and how residents can help provide useful data. Information on New Haven’s threatened reptile, the Eastern Rat Snake, will also be discussed. 
Andrews received his master’s degree in Biology from Middlebury College. He is a herpetologist/wildlife biologist and since 1990 has worked closely with state, federal, and private agencies on herptile conservation throughout Vermont. He currently serves as chair of the Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group to the Vermont Endangered Species Committee and teaches courses on Vermont reptiles, amphibians, trees and birds at a variety of institutions. 
He also runs herpetological research and education projects and provides independent consulting and a herpetological survey. In addition, Jim works with the Vermont Agency of Transportation to minimize the impacts of transportation infrastructure and traffic on wildlife. 
Admission is free.