Club History by Gail Watson
 
   I've been with the club for more than 20 years, so I have some thoughts and memories which may be of interest to our members. The club actually originated over 30 years ago as the Herpetological Society of B.C., under the leadership of Jean Tait. In 1985 it was reorganized as the Association of Reptile Keepers, a name concieved by Tom Luscher. Its initials "ARK" became well known in British Columbia, especially in the Lower Mainland where its activities expanded from two major displays every year to many large and popular shows at the PNE, Richmond Nature Park, Lynn Canyon Ecology Center, Science World, Burnaby's Discovery Days and Surrey's Bear Creek Festival, as well as countless schools, pre-schools, day-cares and community centres.
 
   A decade or so later it was decided that we should have a new name which would more accurately depict our society's aims and purposes. The other members of the executive felt that the name should identify our geographical location on the continent as well as our determination to protect and conserve reptile life. After applying an enormous amount of imagination and time to the problem, about fourteen seconds actually, I said, "How about the Westcoast Society for the Protection and Conservation of Reptiles". And the rest, as they say, is history.
 
   Of course, it is true that the name is a trifle long and difficult to remember, but it did meet the executive's criteria, so what more do they want? However, I have to admit that almost eveyone still refers to us as ARK after all these years. I talk to thousands of people at our displays each year, and virtually all of them , including those in charge of the organizations where we do our displays, remember us as ARK not WSPCR. So if we can think of a new, new name that will retain or encompass those three memorable letters, it would be a perfect solution.