30 Years!

In August 1978, SDSU graduate student, Eric Gold, had a vision for a Herpetological Society in San Diego. SDSU Professor of Zoology, Richard Etheridge offered to host in his living room (complete with peanuts and beer) the first organizational meetings for what would become SDHS.

By the following month the membership of the Society was 9 individuals. A constitution was drafted and the goals for the Society were identified and articulated: the study, appreciation and conservation of all reptiles and amphibians.

I don't remember the names of all of the people who began to meet at my house to plan the formation of a San Diego Herpetological Society. However, I do remember the reason we thought such a society should be formed. At that time an increasing number of amateur herpetologists had come to believe that a "herpetologist" was just someone who kept a lot of snakes alive in cages at home, and sold or traded them to other snake keepers. We believed that by encouraging these amateurs, mostly young, to meet periodically and hear talks by academic herpetologists, that they would come to see that herpetology is a respectable science that could actually lead to a career. We sent flyers to a number of schools and invited anyone interested to come to our first meeting. As I recall, about 90 people attended. Dr. Bayard Bratstroem gave an excellent first talk about his research on lizard behavior. Thereafter we had a series of talks by professional herpetologists which the members seemed to appreciate.

In 1979, the membership reached 100 and the monthly newsletter began production. The Society published U.S. Federal, California State and San Diego County Laws and Regulations Concerning Reptiles and Amphibians. The first field trip was made to McCain Valley and the Zoo's Otto Center Auditorium became the permanent home for SDHS monthly meetings.

In 1980, the membership exceeded 200. The Society logo was created and the first t-shirts were sold. That year the newsletter format was expanded and the publication gained interest and subscribers from around the nation. By 1981 the mailing list had grown to 325 names across 18 states and 3 foreign countries.

The Society's first "Members' Live Herp Exhibit" in 1982 drew over 2000 visitors. The influence of the Society was further evidenced by a members-only behind the scenes tour of the San Diego Natural History Museum and a members-only pre-opening preview of the San Diego Zoo's new Reptile House.

In the following years, the newsletter became a major source of serious and reliable reptile and amphibian articles. Scientific data was collected and shared through the Society, and many scholastic articles were published by some of the most recognized scholars and researchers. Local conservation efforts have been actively supported by the Society and many Southern California herpers have benefited from the newsletters, the monthly presentations and the frequent Society field trips.

All of us in SDHS are thankful for the hard work and enthusiasm of the founding officers and members of our Society. Because of their efforts and their deep appreciation for herps, the San Diego Herpetological Society has become one of the premiere Herp Societies in the United States. And now we can celebrate...

1978 - 2008 . . . Thirty Years of Herping!