The Herpetological Conservation Trust

The Herpetological Conservation Trust (The HCT) is a UK based charity and charitable company established to further the conservation of amphibians and reptiles (collectively known as herpetofauna).

We were founded in 1989 by Vincent Weir and Ian Swingland and launched at the First World Congress of Herpetology in Canterbury that year.

 We employ a professional staff and own and manage a number of nature reserves.  Although our head quarters is in Bournemouth, UK, we employ staff who are based elsewhere in Britain and the Republic of Ireland and work closely with other organisations to help the conservation of wildlife in Europe and beyond.

 The Trust is governed by a board of Trustees. We do not have a membership and so we are not an organisation that you can join. However,  we do work with and assist other organisations to promote herpetofauna conservation, notably local Amphibian and Reptile Groups and County Wildlife Trusts that do have memberships. We are also often assisted by volunteers, particularly with habitat management projects.

 The HCT is a Registered charity no. 1109031 and a Company limited by Guarantee (Registered in England) number 5389839.

Objectives

Since our formation we have made significant steps forward to our primary aim of safeguarding Britain’s threatened herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles). The Trust works towards this aim by:

• protecting and improving through management the sites inhabited by threatened herpetofauna;

• increasing the knowledge of way of life and habitat requirements of these species through research, education and by providing expert advice;

• raising public awareness to stimulate interest and understanding about our amphibians and reptiles.

The Officers, Trustees and Staff of The HCT