For Immediate Release
Contact: Dr. David A. Steen
Organization: Auburn University Museum of Natural History
Email: LivingAlongsideWildlife@gmail.com
BIOLOGISTS TAKE TO TWITTER TO ADVOCATE FOR SNAKES
A team of experts answer public questions about our slithering friends
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Snakes play a vital role in the environment, but are also the subject of unfounded fears and prejudices. On September 7, 2016 from 7pm – 9pm EST, a team of snake experts will hold the first #SnakeTownHall on Twitter to allow the public to get answers to all of their snake questions.
The event is organized by Auburn University wildlife ecologist Dr. David A. Steen (@AlongsideWild) and Bloomington, IN design firm Blue Aster Studio (@blueasterstudio). Dr. Steen, dubbed the Best Biologist on Twitter by Slate Magazine, regularly engages with the public to advocate on the behalf of snakes and prevent their needless killing, particularly when harmless snake species are mistaken for venomous copperheads and cottonmouths. The #SnakeTownHall team of snake experts will also include Melissa Amarello (@snakeadvocate; Advocates for Snake Preservation), Dr. Emily Taylor (@snakeymama; California Polytechnic State University), Dr. Bree Putman (@breeput; University of California Los Angeles), Dr. Sara Ruane (@sara_and_snakes; Louisiana State University), and Dr. Jennifer Moore (@DrReptilia; Grand Valley State University).
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Believing in the possibilities of partnerships between science and art, Dr. Steen will also be using the #SnakeTownHall to launch a new set of illustrated snake identification graphics designed by Blue Aster Studio, providing a fun, memorable accompaniment to his Twitter interactions. In addition to answering questions from the public during the #SnakeTownHall, Dr. Steen will be providing trivia challenges featuring Blue Aster Studio graphics and users of the #SnakeTownHall hashtag will be entered in random drawings to win merchandise featuring these graphics.
Please join us on September 7th at 7pm EST on Twitter to experience first-hand how social media can be leveraged for science outreach at the hashtag #SnakeTownHall.