This Spring I noticed some flickr pictures of Spotted Salamanders and other amphibians posted under the account of something called Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory (AVEO). A little Googling revealed that this is a project of the Harris Center for Conservation Education, a land trust & conservation education organization in the Monadnock Region of southwest New Hampshire.
Brett Amy Thelen, Salamander Pal; photo: Russ Cobb
The person at AVEO responsible for their flickr stream is their Program Director, Brett Amy Thelen. As AVEO’s coordinator of “citizen science” initiatives (more on that later), Brett has one of the coolest jobs in the world. She described her work to me like this:
Over the years, we’ve coordinated a broad spectrum of volunteer-based conservation research & monitoring projects in our neck of the woods – everything from invasive plant surveys to aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling to monitoring a state-endangered bird that nests on city roofs – but we’re probably best known for our “Salamander Crossing Brigades.”
I love the idea of a Crossing Brigade, and want to share this work on my blog. Brett generously agreed to an interview. Part 1 of our e-mail exchange is presented here today, part 2 will be posted tomorrow.
What is happening in the salamander world that makes Salamander Crossing Brigade necessary?
First, a bit of relevant natural history: every spring, as the earth thaws and spring rains drench the Northeast, thousands upon thousands of spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, wood frogs, and spring peepers make their way to vernal pools in warm, evening rains to breed. This is known as “explosive breeding” and, in some years, when weather conditions align just so, it happens in just one or two “Big Nights.” Some of these species are quite long-lived (spotted salamanders can live up to 30 years!) and return, year after year, to the same vernal pool to breed; in many cases, it’s the very pool where they themselves were born.
These days, their journeys often take them across busy roads, and roadkill has become a significant conservation concern, especially for amphibians and reptiles. (One study in western & central Massachusetts found that roadkill rates commonly found on even relatively quiet roads could be high enough to lead to local extinction of spotted salamander populations in as few as 25 years. Another study found that 50-100% of salamanders attempting to cross a paved rural road in upstate New York didn’t make it. This is scary stuff!)
What is a crossing brigade, and what do brigadiers dedicated to salamander crossings do?
Salamander Crossing Guard Mark Rebillard helping a spotted salamander across the road on Route 63, Spofford, NH; photo: Myra Dideles
AVEO trains Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteers to count migrating amphibians and to safely usher the critters across roads during one or several “Big Nights” each spring. Our Salamander Crossing Brigadiers also help us find new-to-us amphibian road crossings, which we add to an online map of known amphibian crossing sites throughout the Monadnock Region. In the last five years alone, AVEO’s Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteers have crossed nearly 12,000 amphibians!
Why do volunteers get involved in this project? What do they get out of it?
Spotted salamanders spend 95% of their lives underground, only venturing above the forest floor this one time each year. They are also highly charismatic creatures, with a smile that could melt an iceberg. So, the road crossings aren’t just about reducing the impact of roads on local wildlife; they’re also a pretty thrilling opportunity for wildlife observation. Here are some of the more memorable letters sent to me over the last few years, by Salamander Crossing Brigade folks who had an amazing time out there on the wet streets of southwest New Hampshire:
I hear a gazillion peepers and think that some of those out there would not be singing if it weren’t for people like you and the volunteers who helped them in their passage. In a world filled with negativity and sad stories, it is a small, but beautiful bit of light. – Diane G., Chesterfield, NH
[Your message about the salamander crossing] got to the heart of why we keep doing field work in sometimes miserable conditions: It’s important for the earth; it feels really good to be doing something positive; and it’s a hoot to know there are other slimy-fingered loonies out there in the middle of the night sharing the thrills and the heartaches. – Mary W., Gilsum, NH
I did crossing guard last night in Winchester-it was AWESOME! This is the most fun I have had in a long time! I have never been so wet since I was kid and splashed in puddles! — Yvonne W., Winchester, NH
My son and I wouldn’t miss it…It is a wonderful night. It’s like stepping into another world.
At the end of the night, we were frozen, wet, and happy. – Pam S., Rindge, NH
[Check back with the blog tomorrow for part 2 of this interview and more of Brett Amy Thelen's cool work in conservation through citizen science!]
Salamander Crossing Guards on North Lincoln Street, Keene, NH; photo: Tim Garceau
Like many people who have eaten a lot of pizza, yet who continue to age, I try to be intentional about periodic strenuous aerobic activity. I’ve chosen running as a way to regularly work my muscles in ways that mimic the hunting and gathering of my ancestors.
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