Meet the Smooth Green Snake (And a Lincoln Park Zoologist) at Feb. 6 Nature Program
Learn to about the smooth green snake on Feb. 6, during a “Learn from the Experts” nature program.
This native, but little-known snake was once a common part of our local landscape, but its numbers have declined steeply over the past few decades. Thanks to efforts by Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lake County Forest Preserve, the smooth green snake has a shot at a comeback.
During “Meet the Smooth Green Snake,” from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, Dr. Allison Sacerdote-Velat of the Lincoln Park Zoo will detail the work being done to help this species gain a stronger presence in the Chicago region. There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation.
The registration fee is $10 per person and advance registration is required. To register, call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com. This program is at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, located at 3795 Campton Hills Dr., Saint Charles.
Learn from the Experts programs are for ages 18 and up. They are taught by experts in the field and offer in-depth information and learning opportunities about our local ecology. This program series is cosponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles Park District and the Geneva Park District.
For more information on this program, or to view a full roster of Forest Preserve District nature programs, visit www.kaneforest.com.
About Allison B. Sacerdote-Velat, Ph.D.
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Reintroduction Biologist Urban Wildlife Institute |
Education
- Ph.D. – Amphibian Reintroduction and Wetland Restoration, Northern Illinois University
- B.S. – Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Areas of Expertise
- Population and community ecology of amphibians and reptiles
- Reintroduction biology and conservation of herpetofauna
- Wetland restoration and management
- Herpetofaunal response to habitat restoration
About Allison Sacerdote-Velat:
Allison was a seasonal wildlife biologist for several years with a variety of state wildlife agencies, universities, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the National Park Service. She had the opportunity to work with a wide array of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, sharp-tailed sparrows, desert tortoise, eastern hognose snakes, turtles, phainopeplas, small mammals and amphibians. These experiences helped hone her interest in wildlife conservation and field research.
Allison completed her doctoral work at Northern Illinois University, studying the reintroduction of extirpated amphibians into restored flatwoods wetlands in northern Illinois. Her research entailed field-based reintroduction feasibility analyses, population viability analyses and examination of amphibian response to specific habitat-restoration methods. Allison stayed on as a visiting assistant professor at Northern Illinois University from 2009-2010, where she taught the Biology of Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles, Conservation Biology and Environmental Biology.
Allison began her position as Lincoln Park Zoo reintroduction biologist in May 2010. She works collaboratively with the Lake County Forest Preserve District on conservation and recovery planning for smooth green snakes, an Illinois “species in greatest need of conservation.” Her work entails field sampling, population assessment and habitat evaluation of smooth green snakes in northern Illinois and planning for a smooth green snake captive-breeding and head-starting program.
About the Forest Preserve District of Kane County
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County acquires, holds and maintains land to preserve natural and historic resources, habitats, flora and fauna. The district restores, restocks, protects and preserves open space for the education, recreation and pleasure of Kane County citizens. For more information, visit the district’s website or find them on social media via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Also, sign up for the quarterly TreeLine Newsletter.
Volunteer With the Forest Preserve District!
