• Dragonfly Society of the Americas
• Odonata Survey of Texas

What is the Odonata Survey of Texas (OST)?

The OST, centered at The University of Texas at Austin (UT), includes a group of people with a shared interest in the study of the distribution, biology, behavior, and enjoyment of dragonflies and damselflies occurring in Texas. The purpose of the OST is to act as an official organization whose job it will be to encourage, solicit, and maintain the Texas database for dragonfly and damselfly distributional information. The OST is chaired by John C. Abbott of the University of Texas and Brackenridge Field Laboratory.

How do I join the OST?

Membership is free and the OST is a volunteer organization. We need as many volunteers to assist in the documentation of the state fauna as possible. Primarily we are in need of field assistants; individuals who can assist in the discovery, collection, and otherwise documentation of species. We welcome collaborators from other institutions and agencies who are interested in sharing biological and environmental data, as well as specimens from sampling activities.

The OST currently has no funding and no paid positions. Monetary donations are accepted made out to The University of Texas at Austin.

Goals of the OST

The primary goal of the OST is to solicit, catalog, and make available the most up-to-date and definitive information on the dragonflies and damselflies of Texas. Additional goals and priorities of the OST include:

1. Promotion of the study and appreciation of Odonata at various levels of understanding.
2. Survey the state of Texas as thoroughly as possible and practical to document the current status of all Odonata species occurring in the state
3. Provide an organized clearinghouse for odonatological information pertaining to Texas.
4. Recognize and critically examine habitats where species of limited distribution or threatened status are found.
5. Increase our knowledge of poorly known species.
6. Provide an internet-based source of information including, website, listserve, and printed materials.
7. Cooperate with agencies and groups where common goals are shared.

Contacts for Additional Information

Address

Phone Numbers

Official Website

http://www.odonatacentral.com/ost

Official Listserv

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TexOdes