Reptiles and amphibians face unique conservation challenges when compared to other animals. Profound social and cultural barriers result in high rates of persecution, less public support for conservation, and less priority in regards to research, attention, and funding. Furthermore, herpetofauna continue to decline in number with researchers now estimating that over 40% of the world’s studied amphibians (IUCN, 2018) and ~20% of studied reptiles are threatened with extinction worldwide.

The purpose of the Reptile Youth Alliance is to bring attention to problems such as habitat destruction, pollution, and human-wildlife conflict that complicate the efforts to protect herpetofauna and their habitats. The Reptile Youth Alliance is a national group of passionate young reptile enthusiasts that are provided an opportunity to connect with peers, mentors, learn about herpetofauna, their habitats, and how we can work together to increase conservation support for reptiles and amphibians among the public.

Through the annual Reptile Youth Alliance Research Conference, hundreds of the nation’s students are challenged to go beyond their classroom studies to do independent project-based research. They work independently or in teams to address questions in the field of herpetology, a branch of zoology that deals with the study of reptiles and amphibians.