New Logo for KRAG


After nearly 20 years of displaying our now familiar common toad and grass snake in front of a Kentish Oast, we thought that it may be time for a new logo for the group.

But before revealing the new logo, a little history...

The first published use of the original logo that I am aware of dates from November 1988. This was Issue 1 of the Kent Reptiles and Amphibians Group newsletter. The front cover is reproduced below.




The opening gambit was proposed by founder members Dr. G. A. N. Davis and Dr. J. F. D. Frazer. Derek Frazer is former president of the British Herpetological Society (from which he retired in 1981) and was a very active Kent recorder. Dr. Frazer contributed over 600 records to the KRAG database (many of which were collected with his friend Dr. Davis). The vast majority of these records were amphibian and in 1990 the pair published an important work on the distribution of newts in Kent.

Davis, G. A. N. and Frazer, J. F. D. (1990) The distribution of newts in Kent. The Transactions of the Kent Field Club, 11 (2), 61 - 67.

At that time Dr. Davis and Dr. Frazer proposed that the then Kent Trust for Nature Conservation (now simply The Kent Wildlife Trust) needed a group dedicated to conservation of reptiles and amphibians. Suggested group objectives included the following:

1. Undertake survey work to map the distribution of species.

2. Offer advice on planning applications that may affect species.

3. Offer advice on general conservation measures.

4. Raise awareness of amphibian and reptile conservation with local people.

5. Mount 'rescues' of animals that may be in danger from development activities.


KRAG has evolved somewhat over the years. Although KRAG members no longer become involved in development based rescues (these are best handled by professional ecological consultants) and have only limited available time to offer advice on planning applications (there are simply too many in Kent!), the remainder of those early objectives still remain very relevant. KRAG currently promotes reptile and amphibian conservation by:

1. Recording the distribution and monitoring the status of herpetofauna in the county.

2. Providing general advice on reptiles and amphibians and their habitat management to relevant organisations and the general public.

3. Raising awareness amongst the general public.


Since KRAG has evolved over the years and is recognised as being one of the more dynamic and active local groups, The Committee felt that a new image was needed. However, we didn't want to loose too much of our past identity... The funds that we raised to publicise and host last year's ARG UK SE Regional Meeting allowed us to commission Jennifer Drage to redesign the KRAG Logo.

So, out with the old...




...and in with the new...




See, we kept the oast, snake and toad! The new logo will be finding its way onto our various publications and the newly redesigned KRAG website in due course. Did I say newly redesigned website?! Watch this space!

Lee Brady

Posted: Tue - March 6, 2007 at 09:51 am        

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