Conservation Commission Past Events

On April 28 a group of 17 vernal pool enthusiasts including guests from Cornish and Plainfield, speaker Matt Tarr, PhD, State Wildlife Specialist/UNH Extension Professor/NH Licensed Forester, and representatives from the CCC braved the wind to dive into the magic and wonder of vernal pools.

We highlight a few takeaways…

• Vernal pools can exist almost anywhere—they are wetlands with a seasonal cycle of flooding and drying.
• Life and survival within and dependent upon these pools is strange, fragile, surprising and deserve our attention and protection: there were “eggs and spermatozoa galore” (frogs and spotted salamanders). We all came away better educated and eager to go egg-spotting on our own.
• Trained and experienced wildlife specialist Matt Tarr brought us more than we thought: Matt stood in the cold CREA pools in his waders for an hour, gently netting samples of egg masses (wood frogs were already emerging as tiny tadpoles), and helped us understand how the pools and their temporary inhabitants fit into the surrounding woodland ecologies. To have Matt and so many others from the UNH Extension and surrounding organizations available to our communities is a great resource we should use to the fullest.
• CREA is a fabulous learning environment and an incredibly valuable community resource. A continuing debt of thankfulness is extended to all town volunteers, past and present, as well as donors and town officials who made and keep CREA a town resource for the enjoyment of all.

Learn more about Vernal Pools >