As the earth thaws and spring rains drench New Hampshire, tens of thousands of salamanders and frogs make their way to vernal pools to breed. Many are killed when their journeys take them across busy roads. Each spring, Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory trains volunteers to serve as Salamander Crossing Guards at amphibian road crossings throughout the Monadnock Region during the ‘big nights.’ Join veteran Salamander Crossing Brigade coordinator, Brett Amy Thelen, to learn about the amphibian migration, the heroic efforts of Crossing Brigade volunteers, and how to find migration hotspots in your neck of the woods. Brett will be sharing her experiences with Salamander Crossing Brigades at Tin Mountain’s Nature Learning Center on Thursday, May 10, at 7pm.
Brett Amy Thelen is Program Director of Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory, the citizen science arm of the Harris Center for Conservation Education. In her work with AVEO, she has coordinated citizen science projects focused on migratory amphibians, vernal pools, rare birds, invasive plants, and fish passage at road-stream crossings. She has a Master’s of Science from Antioch University New England and an undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary.
In her presentation Brett will provide an overview of the Salamander Crossing Brigade training program run by the Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory and the successes and failures they have encountered. She will also discuss how the concept can be applied to amphibians in need in the Mount Washington Valley.
Tin Mountain’s Nature Program Series is sponsored in part by L.L. Bean and the Evenor Armington Fund, and the Residence Inn by Marriott North Conway. Donations of $3/person or $5/family are appreciated; members are free. For more information call 447-6991 or visit www.tinmountain.org.