His presentation about the biology and preservation of Ohio’s amphibians and reptiles will occur on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 7-8 p.m. in the John and Mary Alford Performing Arts Hall (auditorium) of the John Gilbert Reese Center. The event is co-sponsored by the Licking Land Trust and Ohio State Newark.
Amphibian, reptile conservation expert to visit
The Ohio State University at Newark welcomes Gregory Lipps, the first conservation biologist at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation, for an educational on-campus lecture.
Gregg is an amazing leader in wildlife conservation whose efforts are preserving some of Ohio’s most charismatic vertebrates, like hellbenders and massasauga rattlesnakes. With a deep knowledge of reptile and amphibian conservation in practice, he’s training the next generation of wildlife biologists. And he has many scaley and slimy stories to tell.
Lipps has emerged as one of Ohio’s leading voices on amphibian and reptile species protection. Across a dozen years as Ohio State’s amphibian and reptile conservation coordinator, a position made possible through the Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, the respected herpetologist has guided preservation, restoration and reintroduction projects throughout the state. He has co-authored and edited two books: Amphibians of Ohio and Reptiles of Ohio. He has earned multiple awards, including the Columbus Zoo’s Commitment to Conservation Award in 2023. The following year, the zoo created the conservation biologist position for him.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
Photo provided by Jeff Belth.