Gunpowder Vernal Pools Trips March 24

Spotted Salamanders
Photo by Mark Tegges. Spotted Salamanders with spermatophores

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Field Trips For the Family Open to the Public

Please join us for our annual Vernal Pools field trips.

Vernal pools are special habitats, created by melting winter snow and spring rains. At this time of year, they are teeming with life – they become mating and breeding pools for just a few species of frogs and salamanders. These amphibians leave their winter hibernation in the woodlands to find mates, lay their eggs, and have their young hatch and develop in this ephemeral, watery environment.

We want everyone to have a great experience! We don’t want to damage the habitat and we certainly don’t want to hurt the little critters we love so much. Therefore, we ask participants not to enter the vernal pools. We will have nets to collect from the edge and aquariums to observe everything we find. Please help us out by listening to the trip leaders! Because of the limited time and space for participants, we are asking that you only sign up for 1 event in the series. This will hopefully allow all interested to participate. If there are open spaces leading up to the event, we will invite folks to join a second trip.

2023 Dates: March 10, March 24, April 7

Difficulty: Easy walk as the vernal pool is very close to the road.

WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY IMPACT THIS FIELD TRIP. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL AND PHONE – IF THE STTUS OF THE TRIP CHANGES.

Spotted Salamander egg mass close up

Location