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Amphibian Monitoring Program
Background Info During the first warm, rainy nights of spring, over half a dozen different species of frogs and salamanders make a mass migration from their wintering sites in upland habitats to vernal pools and other suitable breeding grounds. Due to habitat fragmentation by roads, a vast number of frogs and salamanders are inadvertently killed each year trying to cross through the traffic. Road mortality is painfully high, destroying entire populations or limiting their success rate. Add to this increased development and higher road usage, and the scales are tipped squarely against these animals. The objectives of this program are to educate the public about this little-known mass migration, and to recruit volunteers to assist our four-legged friends in their dangerous journey. Program History In spring 2005 NBNC piloted an amphibian rescue program. Over 60 central Vermonters came to an informational training at the nature center to learn how to help amphibians safely cross roads. Over 30 volunteers sent in reports from locations throughout the region. In spring 2006, we brought our mission to other communities, hosting training sessions in Northfield, Stowe, Jericho, and Waterbury. In 2007 we held trainings in Waitsfield, Calais, Roxbury and Marshfield where we identified new crossing sites and recruited new volunteers. More new communities hosted trainings in 2008, with over 200 people attending those trainings. Program Future We hope spring 2009 to be our most productive year of amphibian monitoring yet! Please see our schedule of upcoming training sessions on the column directly right of this text and find a training session near you. Training Session Agenda
News 2/18/10 - For the past five years, NBNC has trained volunteers throughout central Vermont (and beyond) to rescue salamanders and frogs as they cross busy roads on their annual migration. Our efforts will continue this year, although a new and ambitious project is underway and also needs your help. Vermont Center for Ecostudies, in partnership with Arrowwood Environmental, have embarked on a project to map vernal pools throughout Vermont in an effort to better understand and protect these fragile wetlands. You can get involved in both of these great volunteer-driven projects by attending a training session for amphibian monitoring AND vernal pool mapping this spring. No registration necessary. All programs are free.
We've also had a barrage of media coverage this spring. Over 100 news outlets from Alaska to Florida, and beyond, have picked up an Associated Press story about the crossing site in New Haven, VT. I encourage everyone to check out the AP article and stay tuned for more coverage. 4/03/09 - Conditions tonight will be favorable for amphibian movement. Although large movements are waning in the Champlain Valley and other low-elevation sites, it may be the beginning of movements in other parts of the state. If you choose to monitor a site tonight, please be sure to record data and drive carefully to ensure the safety of our amphibians. Data sheets, known crossing locations, X-ing signs, and other useful info can be found under the "Resources" section on the right column of this page. Thank you in advance, and good luck on the roads! 3/26/09 - Based on the latest weather forecast, conditions look favorable for amphibian migration tonight in the Champlain Valley, parts of southern Vermont, and other sites with sufficient snow melt. Please drive carefully if you must be on the road. 3/25/09 - Amphibians migration is just weeks (or in some places, days) away, and the 2009 trainings begin tonight. This spring also marks the start of a project to map all of the Vernal Pools in the state. Here is an excerpt from an appeal for volunteers by Michael Lew-Smith, one of the project leaders:
2/20/09 - The AMP has been hibernating for the winter, but we're beginning to thaw out! We have five trainings scheduled for this spring, which will incorporate exciting new video footage as well as visual imagery and rich sounds. If you have already attended a training, encourage friends and family to come, they're fun and they're free! 4/25/08 - The peepers are roaring, and the Wood Frogs have laid eggs here at the Nature Center. There were other reports of movement this week. If it rains this weekend, there is still the possibility that some movement could occur in Central VT and other cooler parts of the state. On another note, we are rearing Wood Frog eggs at the Nature Center, and will be posting their progress as they develop on the "Nature News" section of the NBNC website. Click here for news before 4/15/08
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Upcoming Events Training Sessions Wednesday, March 10, 6:30pm Tuesday, March 30, 6:30pm Wednesday, March 31, 6:30pm Vernal Pool Mapping Project - Trainings Thursday April 29, 5pm-8pm Resources
Please return all data sheets, maps, and photos to: Larry Clarfeld
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4/07/09 - This past Friday marked one of the first movements of the year in central Vermont and a continuation of movements throughout the state. Although it may be too cold the next few evenings, as soon as conditions are wet and over 40 F we expect migration to continue. 