The BHS is a non-profit organization with goals to support the conservation, education and captive care of reptiles and amphibians.
It is one of the oldest international herpetological societies and is recognized worldwide for its support in conservation, research and other relevant activities.
Whilst in Siam (present day Thailand), Dr Smith studied the herpetofauna as well as that of south-east Asia.
This led him founding the society as a way to promote the values he saw fit in regards to the herpetofauna of the British Isles and the wider landscape.
[1] Past presidents of the British Herpetological Society, listed by retirement date: The BHS publishes a small number of publications[2] such as: