Amphibian Crossing Series

Happy Spring Equinox! Though it looks like winter outside, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about frogs, toads, and salamanders - our favorite amphibians!

Every spring, amphibians migrate from forests to wetlands, following a biological process that often returns them to the same vernal pools where they were born. Their route often traverses roads and they are hard to see by motorists on the dark, wet nights during which they prefer to travel. This is where we come in - as amphibian “crossing guards”!

On March 28th, join North Branch Nature Center scientists for an evening Zoom program on local amphibian ecology and the Amphibian Road Crossing community science project. We’ll also learn how to rescue thousands of amphibians from roadway fatalities and collect important migration data used by town planners and ecologists. Register here.

With the training under your belt, you can check out a free ARC kit with all the supplies you need to serve as an amphibian crossing guard from now till May. Each MRV Library has one kit that can be used by a group. You can check out the NBNC amphibian crossing map for sites near you.

Finally, join Friends of the Mad River for a community crossing night in early April. We’ll monitor the weather for 40-degree and rainy nights and select a conducive night and location for the activity. Stay tuned!

This series is made possible by Friends of the Mad River, MRV Libraries, and North Branch Nature Center.

Questions? Please contact [email protected]