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 Spring Approaches
 Throughout the northeast, snowpack is giving
way to open ground. Vernal pools are thawing or filling and vernal pool amphibians are migrating to their pools on rainy nights. The hand-colored relief engraving (above), Vernal Pool,
illustrates the beauty of these special woodland pools (used with permission of artist Abigail Rorer.)
Heavy rains in March and April will bring out woodfrogs, salamanders, and other amphibians to migrate to vernal pools and other
wetlands.
 Mole salamanders and woodfrogs migrate from their wintering sites in the uplands to vernal pools for breeding when the conditions are right. The ideal conditions are thawed ground, air
temperature in the 40's, rain, little wind, and darkness. Early migrations are sometimes light in numbers of animals. Migrations take place on several nights if the conditions are right..
 If you go out on a rainy night to observe migrations, do be careful if you are looking at road crossing sites. Drivers will have trouble seeing "salamander people" on the road. Resist the
urge to stop traffic to save amphibians. Don't become a statistic. If you find a location with significant roadkill, work with local authorities for road closings in future years. See the
link below for reporting crossing sites. Once mole salamanders and wood frogs reach their vernal pool, breeding activities
commence. For spotted salamanders, this means the males lay down spermatophores from which the females pick up sperm. After a few days, the females lay egg masses attached to submerged
vegetation as in these photos. (Thanks to Jen Carlino for the underwater salamander photos.)
Report Amphibian Crossing Data
 Help this spotted salamander and other amphibians by reporting amphibian migrations at road crossings. Click here or on the salamander. Linking Landscapes is an effort by the MA Department of Transportation, the MA Natural Heritage
& Endangered Species Program and the Vernal Pool Association to locate amphibian crossings and roadkill hot spots. Click on "home" on the salamander page to view the other crossing data
being collected. (Photo from Suzanne Niles [www.frog-shots.com] who monitors amphibians in her backyard vernal pool.
MA Certification Guidelines (3/1/2009)
As of March 1, 2009, new guidelines by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program are in effect for the
certification of vernal pools in the state. Download the guidelines (pdf) here from the NHESP website. Changes
include new numbers of obligate species which must be documented, a reduction of facultative species, and the elimination of the "dry pool method". Go to the VPA
Certification pages for brief version.
 Want to know what creatures are
in your vernal pool? Check out our Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools. This guide covers the identification and natural history of most of the vertebrates and invertebrates
found in New England vernal pools. The guide is useful for other areas of the country as well. View a sample page (in pdf format) and
then order your own copy from the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. VPA does not sell single
copies.
Classroom Sets of Field Guides!
Classroom Special on Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools.
Our popular field guide was reprinted in June, 2009. We have set aside a quantity of field guides to be sold at a substantial discount for use in classrooms. These "educational copies" are
marked "not for resale" and available only to educational institutions. Cost is $5 each (plus shipping) for 20 or more copies. Shipping for 20 copies is $10.70. Order from VPA, PO Box 2295,
Peabody, MA 01960.
Big Night for Salamanders by Sarah Lamstein
On March 1, 2010, a new vernal pool themed book aimed at the younger set (5-9) was released. It is written by Sarah Lamstein and
illustrated by Carol Benioff. The book is the story of a young boy and his efforts to protect salamanders on a migration night, Big Night, as they migrate from the woods to cross a road to
get to their vernal pool. More information is at Sarah's website. It is available from Amazon and other locations.
More children's books are suggested at the end of our Resources page.
 Our
T-shirts are once again available online!
A team of VPA members has taken over online sales of our popular vernal pool T-shirts. Click on our new wood frog T-shirt to go to
www.vernalpool.com/. We have several designs in a multitude of colors. Your purchase of these shirts helps to support our mission.
Please consider donating to the Vernal Pool Association by becoming a contributing member. Your support helps us to continue our
mission of educating the public, agencies, and law makers to the significance of vernal pools and their associated organisms to the ecosystem.
More information here.
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