Hellbender art by Logan Schmitt

Greg Lipps with spotted turtles.

Photo by C. Gross

Greg has been the Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Coordinator at the Ohio State University since 2014 and joined the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2024 as the Zoo’s first Conservation Biologist.  His focus is on native species, understanding their biology and threats to their survival, and developing and implementing strategies for recovery.  This work takes him to every corner of the state and has resulted in developing partnerships with agencies, organizations, and landowners that are so vital to effective conservation.  Current projects include working with partners to implement conservation plans for the Eastern Hellbender, Eastern Massasauga, and freshwater turtles. Greg will share highlights of his team’s activities such as Hellbender salamander releases, and Massasauga introductions. 

Greg was a contributing author and editor of both the Amphibians of Ohio (2013) and Reptiles of Ohio (2021).  He has held leadership roles in both the Midwest and Ohio chapters of Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (PARC).  Greg was honored with PARC’s Alison Haskell Award for excellence in herpetofauna conservation in 2017 and The Columbus Zoo’s Commitment to Conservation Award in 2023.