Caledonian Conservation Ltd also supports the work of the Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust. ARC's Scottish Project Officer Pete Minting was based at Caledonian Conservation's offices from June 2013 until May 2016. Pete has now secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage for a new project called Great Crested Newt Detectives, based at Strathleven House near Dumbarton. This project is providing volunteers with the opportunity to get involved in environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling for great crested newts in Scotland. It also involves educational work with primary schools and the development of a publication about how DNA technology is being used to help wildlife across Scotland.
For more details about the Great Crested Newt Detectives project, including how to volunteer, please contact Pete Minting. If you have seen an amphibian or reptile in Scotland, please help by recording your sighting at Record Pool. More general information about ARC's work is available from ARC's website. A great deal of useful information can be downloaded from this website, including free amphibian and reptile identification and habitat management guides.
