Urban Reptile Seminars: The Prosperous Life of City Lizards
In a fascinating webinar scheduled for July 22, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, experts will delve into the world of urban lizards and their crucial role in urban ecosystem health. This event, part of the broader "Thriving Cities" webinar series, is a must-attend for councils, planners, researchers, ecologists, and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
The webinar, titled "Urban lizards," will be presented by two esteemed professionals. Nicky Nelson, the Dean of STEM at Victoria University of Wellington, and Chris Woolley, a post-doctoral fellow with a joint appointment at Victoria University of Wellington and Zealandia, will share their insights on these fascinating creatures and their adaptation to urban landscapes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The webinar will provide valuable research, case studies, and practical insights on supporting lizard conservation in urban neighbourhoods. It will also discuss the health of urban ecosystems based on lizard presence, offering a unique perspective on the role of these reptiles in our cities.
In addition to the webinar's primary focus, attendees will also learn about native skinks and geckos, including a newly identified species from 2023. A Venn diagram illustrating key similarities and differences between skinks and geckos will further enrich the discussion.
To boost observation skills and enhance knowledge about native lizards, the webinar will also touch upon resources such as "Learning to See" and "Create a Lizard-Friendly Habitat." These resources aim to help attract skinks and geckos to school grounds and provide ideas for creating a safe habitat for these reptiles.
To join the webinar, interested individuals can register at [www.waikato.ac.nz/news-events/events/find-event/thriving-cities-webinar-series-urban-lizards/](www.waikato.ac.nz/news-events/events/find-event/thriving-cities-webinar-series-urban-lizards/). The event is free to attend and is relevant for anyone interested in urban wildlife conservation.
[1] Source: Various webinar and event listings.
- The webinar, while primarily focusing on urban lizards, will also delve into native skinks and geckos, including a newly identified species from 2023, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of environmental-science related to reptiles.
- In addition to boosting observation skills and enhancing knowledge about native lizards, the webinar will recommend resources such as "Learning to See" and "Create a Lizard-Friendly Habitat" for sustainable-living and education-and-self-development, helping individuals create a suitable habitat for these reptiles.
- This webinar, despite being part of the "Thriving Cities" series that primarily targets councils, planners, researchers, ecologists, and wildlife enthusiasts, is also relevant for those interested in lifestyle, home-and-garden, and urban-ecosystem health, as it discusses the importance of lizard presence in assessing the health of urban ecosystems.
