The egg mass to the left has sustained some frost damage, which is visible in the center of the mass. The eggs that were exposed to freezing temperatures have died, but the ones that were suspended in the water, just beneath, are alive and well.
The egg mass to the left has sustained some frost damage, which is visible in the center of the mass. The eggs that were exposed to freezing temperatures have died, but the ones that were suspended in the water, just beneath, are alive and well. Credit: Photo by Russ Cobb

Vernal pools are small, temporary woodland ponds that serve as critical breeding habitat for amphibians and as important feeding grounds and shelter for many reptiles, birds, and mammals. Because they are small, seasonal, and often fall outside the realm of regulatory protections for permanent wetlands, vernal pools are especially vulnerable to development and other human impacts.

We can only protect these critical ecosystems if we know where they are. To that end, the Harris Center for Conservation Education trains volunteers to identify and document vernal pools, with special focus on lands where information is needed for conservation planning. Volunteers have now documented 190 vernal pools in the Monadnock region.

Current efforts are focused on conserved lands held by the Harris Center and the Monadnock Conservancy. Vernal Pool Volunteer Trainings are being held during the month of April in Keene, Rindge, held last weekend, and Walpole.

Trainings are free and open to all, but registration is required. 

Keene

Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon

Keene State College

Cosponsors: Harris Center, KSC, Monadnock Conservancy

The Vernal Pool Project is made possible through the support of the Davis Conservation Foundation, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the Peterborough Conservation Commission.

For more information, contact Brett Amy Thelen atthelen@harriscenter.org or 358-2065.