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 "Big Night(s)" in Massachusetts (or anywhere)
Some people like to use the term "Big Night" to refer to a rainy, spring night after the ground has thawed when the salamanders and wood frogs migrate from upland areas to vernal pools to breed. Cute term and a catchy story. But if you were not out in the rain on the night of March 26 for Big Night, you can catch the next one. These animals move on multiple nights. Ones further from the pool may take more than one night to make the voyage. The animals using a colder, still frozen pool, might migrate several weeks later than their friends with a warmer environment. There are many variables. And after mating, the salamanders and wood frogs return to the forest, at night, in the rain. Late breeding amphibians of other species are also moving about on succeeding rainy nights. Go out an look. And be careful of traffic. Drivers have difficulty seeing humans as well as amphibians in the road on a rainy night. Big Night.
 Four-toed salamander and spotted salamander on a road in Hopkinton, MA, March 26, 2009. (photos Keith Love) Salamanders up close
If you were to look at the underside of a spotted salamander this time of year, you could see differences in the vent which would distinguish the males and the females. Just in case you are curious.
 
NHESP issues new vp certification guidelines
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. We will have more information up soon.
Special Offer for Teachers!
Vernal Pool Life Poster Set:
We have just mailed the last of the 100 sets provided by the grant. There are no free sets at this time. We have put in for a similar grant and will announce it here if we get it.
I'll remove this announcement tonight - field work to be done!
We are able to offer a limited number of our 35 poster set "Vernal Pool Life" to classroom teachers and nature centers at no cost. (Normal cost is $30.) The set consists of 35 11x14 in posters of the natural history of vernal pool organisms. Click on the poster below to view the set. Email us (vernal@vernalpool.org) if you are teaching about vernal pool organisms and can use one of these sets. Sets will be shipped only to schools, nature centers, and the like and not to individuals. Please provide your name, school address, grade taught, and how you would use these posters.
The above is made possible by a grant from the EnTrust Fund to encourage environmental education and awareness in our communities. The same grant also provided funding for ten schools to participate in our Poster Outreach Project at no cost and produce a vernal pool poster for distribution in their community. These schools will have their posters ready during the spring.
 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 the spotted turtle 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.
 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.
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