Thank You Partners and Program Coordinators

for an Awesome Spring Field Season!

 

Vernal pool training season for 2024 has come to an end! March 1st marked our season kick-off with the anniversary of Ephemeral, and as it turns out; the timing was apt. Around the same time, murmurings of the first amphibian emergence began in southern Michigan. As early as February 28th, salamanders were on the move, and Pool Patrollers, partners, and program coordinators sprung into action. Across the season, 16 field trainings and 34 outreach events were hosted, engaging around 1,068 people in vernal pool ecology and conservation. 


Training & Event Calendar

There are many ways to learn about, explore, and help conserve vernal pools across the state! Click the buttons and view our calendar below to learn more about how you can get involved in vernal pool conservation near you.

Contribute to science - help collect data and improve conservation of vernal pools in Michigan!

Little information is currently available on the status, distribution, and ecology of vernal pools in Michigan. We need the help of community/citizen scientists to verify and collect more information about vernal pools across the state. These data will help inform conservation of vernal pools. Attend the VPP virtual training series if you are interested in participating in the Michigan Vernal Pool Patrol or just interested in learning more about these important wetlands. The training will consist of three parts/sessions presented on Wednesday evenings, March 6, 13, and 20 from 6:00-8:00 pm EST. 

Practice your field skills - If you are planning on participating in the Vernal Pool Patrol this year, we recommend that you attend a field training! 

Organized by MNFI and Pool Patrol Program Coordinators, field trainings are an opportunity to practice data collection protocol and entering data in Survey 123 while in the field with experts. Trainings are available at locations across the state throughout the coming spring months. Email rosscour@msu.edu for questions. 

Dip your toes into the world of vernal pools - Partner events offer guided, family friendly explorations of vernal pools. Events vary, but include monitoring days, presentations, and vernal pool explorations. They are also a great way to get to know local conservation organizations in your area!