The SARG mission is to "care for and preserve the county's amphibians and reptiles". The term "Favourable Conservation Status" has become accepted to mean that stage when the animals have reached an appropriate population level, across much of their historic range. There should also be an appropriate quantity of suitable habitat, and the prospects for the animals' long term survival is assured.

The SARG vision goes beyond the achievement of favourable conservation status for the animals, as we also want people to be able to enjoy the presence of these secretive animals in the countryside. We believe that education will aid the public acceptance of these animals, which will in turn improve their prospects.

The diagram below shows many of the activities that SARG undertakes, and traces how these activities help to achieve the goals set out above.

Click on a SARG Activity (yellow boxes) for more information.