[SEMCO] Vernal Pool programs scheduled

[Melissa Lowe]

Two workshops offered by the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary focus on
Vernal Pools.  Descriptions of programs are below.  Please circulate
among those people you think would be interested.  Thanks for your help!
Please call me at 508-349-2615 to register or with questions.

Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
*************************

CERTIFYING VERNAL POOLS
Thursday, March 22, 2?3:30 p.m.
Fee: FREE     Registration required
Leader:  Mike Radlehammer, volunteer

Learn how you can work to protect wetlands and wildlife.  Vernal pools
are shallow bodies of water that fill in the spring or fall with rain
and snow melt.  They are breeding grounds for Spring Peepers, Wood
Frogs, Spadefoot Toads, and Spotted Salamanders.  They are protected by
law if they meet certain criteria and then mapped and identified.  This
workshop will focus on what makes a vernal pool and vernal pool and
provide guidance with the certification process.

THE VERNAL POOL TASK FORCE
Friday, March 30, 7 p.m.
Fee:  $4 NM/ $3 M   Registration required
Leader:  Pat Dorcus, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary director

Vernal pools are not just puddles of water.  There are many different
types of vernal pools with different vegetation, and physical
characteristics. Some dry up every year, some remain wet for several
years.  How does this affect the population of invertebrates that live
there?  Can you predict what types of salamanders, etc will live there
knowing the physical characteristics?  Can this assumed knowledge aid in
identifying and certifying vernal pools?




--
Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
P.O. Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-349-2615 (phone)   508-349-2632 (fax)
mlowe@wellfleetbay.org