RAVON has a broad knowledge of everything regarding reptiles, amphibians and fish; including their ecology, distribution, and directives for habitat design and habitat management, as well as conservation of species in the Netherlands.
We carry out research for and we give advice to:
- Our volunteers
- Institutions (ministries, provinces and the local government)
- Land managers and land owners
- Nature and environmental organisations
- Companies (e.g. consultancies)
Examples of projects we are involved in include:
Distribution surveys for amphibians, reptiles and fish, financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) - Conservation aims and distribution limit analysis of Habitats Directive Areas for among others the great crested newt, financed by the Ministry of LNV
- Herpetofauna-friendly management advice for the roadsides of the A1 and A50 motorways, financed by the Department of Public Works
- The Life Ambition Project. The aim of this project is to develop viable meta-populations of five amphibian species named on Annex II (and Annex IV) of the Habitats Directive (Great Crested Newt, yellow-bellied toad, midwife toad, European treefrog and common spadefoot)
- Habitat restoration projects like “Vipera connects” and “Oases of biodiversity”. Many of the restoration sites are Natura 2000 sites, a European network of protected sites for habitat and species conservation. The project is also linked with the European Ponds Conservation Network (EPCN).
- National and regional conservation plans for Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Bombina variegate and Alytes obstetricans. These plans are carried out by volunteers from local branches working together with the staff.
- Red List of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Netherlands