Lizard conservation groups in partnership with Partners in Amphibians and Reptile Conservation (PARC) have designated 2012 as the Year of the Lizard!

In the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.  For some people, when thinking of a dragon this conjures an image of a fictional, scaly, lizard-like creature. Some true lizards have "dragon" in their names. These include the water dragons and Central Bearded Dragon of Australia, and the Komodo Dragons of Indonesia. So in one sense, some dragons are lizards. However, these mythological dragons also often are depicted to breathe fire and have bat-like wings. A common theme among both dragons and lizards is that they are revered in many cultures, and are symbolic of power and wisdom. It is this reverence that we aim to promote during 2012, along with raising awareness of the conservation challenges that these unique animals are facing.

The first issue of our 2012 newsletter, The Year of the Lizard News, is packed with information about lizards and includes the “State of the Lizard” report and an interview with lizard expert Larry Jones, as well as several ways for our readers to get involved in the Year of the Lizard. 

View or download the January Year of the Lizard Newsletter! In this first issue, we present the “State of the Lizard” report, an in-depth look at lizards, the major threats they face today, and the conservation needs necessary to ensure their survival.  We sit down with lizard expert Larry Jones for an interview on how his interest in lizard research and conservation started and on the importance of lizards and their roles in our ecosystems.  In the first of our “Species Spotlights” for the year, we highlight the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard and current research being conducted from Texas A&M University.  We also introduce the first two of our “Featured Lizard Families” and provide opportunities for YOU to participate in the Year of the Lizard – through article contributions, poetry and artwork submissions, educational material development, and other methods.   

It’s not your typical lizard: The JanuaryYear of the Lizard Online Calendar is now available! Congratulations to Laurie Vitt, who photographed an Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis).  Laurie’s photo was selected as the winning entry for the Year of the Lizard monthly online calendar photo contest.  You, too, can submit photographs for the Year of the Lizard Calendar Photo Contest!  All submitted photos will be considered for future calendar months, as well as for use (with photo credit) in other Year of the Lizard products and related documents.   More information about our ongoing photo contest is available at www.yearofthelizard.org.  Give us your best shot! 

Visit www.yearofthelizard.org to find and download the "State of the Lizard" informational report, and be sure to bookmark this address and check back often.  Throughout the year, we will be raising awareness of the issues surrounding lizards through the newsletter, as well as our calendar photo contest, press releases, educational talks and information, and other related events.  Contact us at yearofthelizard@gmail.com with any questions, or to partner with us in these important efforts.

Spread the word--2012 is Year of the Lizard!