Dendrobatidae Nederland, the association
Dendrobatidae Nederland (DN)
Dendrobatidae Nederland is a leading international association of poison dart frog (Dendrobatidae) enthusiasts and people keen on other kinds of tropical frogs. The association aims to promote appreciation of nature, and to bring about its conservation. Within these objectives, emphasis is on the rainforests of Middle and South America and Madagascar, and on the (poison dart) frogs inhabiting these regions in particular. To these ends, Dendrobatidae Nederland maintains close contacts with various national and international organisations, universities, and the IUCN, as well as providing financial support to the ProAves Amphibian Nature Reserve Ranita Dorado in Colombia, among other beneficiaries.
Our main objective is realised by encouraging captive breeding of frogs, in order to reinforce protection of frogs in their natural biotopes. An essential aspect of this process is spreading information relating to tending and breeding of Dendrobatidae and other tropical frogs among as wide an audience as possible. Developments in various areas are monitored closely, and if required, Dendrobatidae Nederland will take action to actively meet its objectives. Research into and combating of the Chytrid fungus both in hobby and nature settings is an example of such action.
Dendrobatidae Nederland was founded in 1989, in response to the increasing interest in poison dart frogs in particular. Communication with our readers occurs by means of a full-colour magazine published quarterly in Dutch. Twice a year, an English magazine is distributed globally, containing (semi-)academic articles as well as articles focusing on hobby aspects. In addition, Dendrobatidae Nederland runs a lively Website with a highly active forum: www.dendrobatidae.org.
Dendrobatidae Nederland has multiple regional workgroups that meet regularly. Twice every year, a frog exhibition of international renown is organised. All this is competed into a unified whole by organising symposium meetings, featuring lectures by various prominent experts.
Presently, in 2012, the association is in top shape, serving over 1,200 enthusiastic, expert, and academic members in the Netherlands and abroad.