Advocates for Snake Preservation, ASP, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way people view and treat snakes. We officially launched on Endangered Species Day (May 16) in 2014.
Why Snakes?
Snakes are threatened by many of the same issues that affect all wildlife, including habitat loss, climate change, and disease. But negative attitudes toward snakes may be the biggest barrier to their conservation because it often impedes efforts to address other threats (read more).
Our Mission
To use science, education, and advocacy to promote compassionate conservation and coexistence with snakes.
Our Vision
A world where snakes are respected and appreciated instead of feared and hated.
Respect and Appreciation for ALL
ASP was founded to fight fear and hatred; of snakes, yes, but as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We recognize that until all humans are treated with respect, our mission cannot be realized. Thus, we support all who promote compassion and oppose fear and hate.
Our path forward is working together to help those who need it most. While we continue our advocacy for snakes, we’re listening and learning for ways we can support the fight to end systemic racism.
We envision a world where ALL are respected and appreciated instead of feared and hated.
Our Values
- Peaceful coexistence with snakes requires that we critically examine and modify our own behavior first in conflict situations.
- As Compassionate Conservationists we prioritize non-invasive research and management strategies and do not support lethal methods.
- We believe that individuals matter, beyond their value as members of a population or species and regardless of their status or usefulness to humans.
- Because animal agriculture is one of the largest threats to wildlife and contributor to climate change, we endorse Animal Place’s Food for Thought program and have an earth-friendly menu policy.
Our Work
- We conduct and support scientific research on snake natural history and behavior following the guiding principles of compassionate conservation.
- We educate the public about snakes and their conservation through our blog, presentations, other educational events, and publications.
- We identify threats to snake conservation and provide resources on how to address those threats.
The Advocates
Melissa Amarello, Executive Director
Jeff Smith, Director of Research
Steve Marlatt, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors
Gordon M. Burghardt, PhD, Board of Directors
(read our bios here)
Arizona black rattlesnakes, who advocate for snakes by showing the world that snakes are beautiful, sometimes social creatures, with rich family lives about which we have much to learn.
ASP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find out how to support our work and where your donation goes.