Look for grants, both private, state and federal. I bet you could find the money if you looked hard enough. Contact the newpaper that did the article. See if they can't run another article explaining your wishes. The other place there may be money is through your Department of Natural Resources. One thing you may have to do, is to include the native reptiles in your area. Make it a public service oriented type service and I bet you find money.
Good Luck!
Jim Smith