Gardner MA Conservation Agent Endeavoring to Help Nature’s Creatures
Some creatures we don’t often think about are valuable components of our Eco-system. As Conservation Agent, Sophie Dorow is tasked with “helping these critters cross our roads safely to their vernal pools and back this spring. For more information visit the Conservation page on the City of Gardner website, CLICK HERE, or contact sdorow@gardner-ma.gov about how you can volunteer to be an “Amphibian Monitor”.
Why Does the Amphibian Cross the Road?
Answer: To get to the other side. (Bet you saw that one coming) Unfortunately, unlike larger animals, it’s often hard to see them as they cross roadways this time of year to migrate to new breeding sites or go to new areas. As they often do this at night, it can turn into a big problem for these creatures. So as a first this year, you can be an Amphibian monitor on rainy nights and help out Sophie Durow and these amphibians.
Learn More
For Adults: About landscapes for Massachusetts wildlife, CLICK HERE. How to report Vernal Pool Observations to the State of MA, click here. Vernal Pool Certification, click here.
For Students: Ask your teacher about amphibians or visit Levi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner and read some books. Sophie Dorow suggests 2 titles available in Gardner – Amphibians & Reptiles of North America: Gunzi, Christiane. – this is a pocket guide. -middle school age? and Slippery babies : young frogs, toads, and salamanders: Johnston, Ginny- for younger audiences.
| Amphibian Monitoring Protocol – How You Can Help |
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| Driving: Please drive cautiously and carefully. Whenever possible over the next 2 months, please consider not driving on rainy nights when air temperatures are 40°F or higher. If you must travel during such conditions, delaying beyond the first 2 hours after sunset is recommended. |
| Larger roadways: Travel on larger highways rather than small, wooded roads if possible. Plan routes that minimize the number of wetlands or vernal pools passed. |
| Timing: If observing amphibian migrations, consider arriving at your destination prior to sunset, and then conduct your monitoring on foot. |
| Cleanliness: If assisting amphibians across roadways or handling them for other reasons, be sure your hands are free of lotions, bug repellent, or other chemicals. |
| Reporting: Report high levels of amphibian activity or mortality to the Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife initiative, which compiles data to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on problem roadways. If you encounter any of our state-listed rare amphibian species (eastern spadefoot, blue-spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander, and marbled salamander), please take a clear photograph of the animal, carefully record the location, and submit an observation report to MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. |
| Certify Vernal Pools: Go the extra mile to help preserve amphibian habitat by certifying vernal pools on your property. The data you collect is used to help MassWildlife and local conservation organizations better understand habitat resources for our native amphibians. |