Salamanders At Cape May Vernal Pool

The new vernal pools  Photo: Dave Golden

 As a follow-up to yesterday's post about the spring amphibian crossings now taking place in NJ, here's a link to a post by Karena DiLeo, Wildlife Biologist for Conserve Wildlife Foundation (CWF).

Last fall, NJDEP's ENSP and CWF completed a project to enhance a complex of 12 vernal pools in Cape May County, creating habitat for state-endangered eastern tiger salamanders and other vernal pool breeding amphibians.

The interconnecting pools allowed eastern tiger salamanders to return to vernal pools to breed in early winter.

In mid-December, eastern tiger salamander egg masses were found in the pools. Egg masses collected from other sites have also been introduced into these pools as supplements.

Endangered or Just In Danger Amphibians and Reptiles

A yellow spotted salamander changing lanes

If the unusually warm weather and crocuses blooming in your garden haven't been harbingers of spring, then note that the amphibian migration has begun across a good part of New Jersey.

With the rain yesterday being just about the right temperature, some eager salamanders and frogs are moving to their breeding pools.

Unfortunately, our "Garden State" is also a highway state and crossing is quite dangerous for those creatures. There are some people out there helping out, but keep a watchful eye when driving on rainy nights if you can.

An article in The New York Times, "Bucket Brigade Gives a Lift So Salamanders Can Live to Mate", describes one group of "salamander people" in Mississippi  are out on these rainy, early spring nights scooping up salamanders to help them cross the road. These "herpers" who search for and aid the amphibians or reptiles do their part to try to protect endangered, threatened and just plain in danger creatures.

Some salamanders can live up to 30 years, so they have been down this road (well, really, across this road) before. But they procreate only once a year.

I have written earlier here about similar projects in New Jersey. Saving other, more lovable species might be easier to get attention, volunteers and funding.

The NJDEP, Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP), the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, and the NJ Audubon Society have been partners on the Amphibian Crossing Survey Project. Since 2002, they have been working to protect early-spring breeding amphibians like the wood frog, spotted salamander, jefferson salamander, and spring peeper during their annual migrations, which often lead them across perilous roadways. Volunteers help monitor sites in northern NJ (resources are limited, so that has been the focus area) particularly Warren, Passaic and Morris County. But they also help to identify additional crossings throughout the state.

A single vehicle can crush dozens of the slow-moving animals as they try to cross the road during migration. For example, some major amphibian road-crossings occur in West Milford in Passaic county. On rainy evenings from late February through March, teams of volunteers will be serving as “Crossing Guards” - slowing traffic, moving amphibians across the road, and collecting data about the migration.

According to the ENSP, amphibians are regarded by many scientists as indicators of a region's health and as the first indicators to harmful environmental changes such as pollutants and higher aquatic temperatures. Basically, if we see problems in the amphibian community, it’s just a matter of time before larger organisms (such as birds, mammals, and humans) will be affected as well.

Amphibian populations are declining worldwide as a result of a number of factors, including water pollution, increased pesticide use, and habitat loss, which is the most significant factor for all of New Jersey's species of conservation concern.

Amphibians depend on both terrestrial and aquatic habitats throughout their life cycles. The loss of forests and wetland habitats, including clearing forests, filling in vernal pools, and development that leads to changes in the water table that dry out critical wetlands, only add to these critters’ plight.

Finally, fragmentation of habitat can also play a critical role in the demise of an amphibian population as they attempt to travel from one area to another. Amphibians become easy prey targets in open habitats (lawns, driveways, roads) and at barriers such as curbs and fences that are often impossible to cross.

A spotted salamander being helped across a road.

The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey has assembled a resource package to help teachers educate students about New Jersey's reptiles and amphibians. The package includes the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of NJ and Calls of NJ Frogs and Toads CD, and a teacher's guide full of activities and lesson plans for grades 5-9. The activities are correlated to the state's Core Curriculum Content Standards.

Resource Package Flyer and Order Form (pdf)

New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail

Click image for enlarged view

The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail will show you roads less traveled where you can find historic villages, migrating eagles, and boardwalks on miles of sandy beaches.

This auto-trail stretches nearly 300 miles along New Jersey’s shore and bays. The trail route begins at the Raritan Bay in Perth Amboy, flows to Sandy Hook and then south down the entire Atlantic coast of New Jersey to Cape May.  It then hooks back up the Delaware Bay and River from Cape May to Deepwater near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail encompasses five regions; Sandy Hook, Barnegat Bay, Absecon, Cape May and the Delsea.

You can explore the Trail’s five regions and you’ll find the nation’s oldest operating lighthouse; the town where revolutionaries burned British tea; and the state’s official tall ship.

Sandy Hook Region is the northern most and is approximately 40 miles long. Barnegat Bay Region is near the center of New Jersey's Atlantic seaboard and is about 45 miles long. Absecon Region includes Atlantic City and Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and is 20 miles long. Cape May Region is approximately 40 miles long and includes lighthouses, bird refuges, and the historic town of Cape May. Delsea Region is the most remote with over 60 miles of wetlands, history, and migratory bird stop-over points.

The Coastal Heritage Trail is designed primarily as a vehicular tourism route in which interpretive themes link destinations throughout the Trail area.

One stop along the way is the Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook which at 266 feet in Atlantic Highlands sits on the highest natural elevation on the Atlantic seaboard (excluding islands) from Maine to the Yucatan providing beautiful views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay and the New York skyline.
This 12-acre site is also home to Monmouth County's 9/11 Memorial.          see  MonmouthCountyParks.com

All of the Trail destinations and welcome centers are operated by other organizations that maintain a variety of public hours. Availability of public transportation varies to and/or from destination to destination. 

Specific information is available by contacting the trail headquarters, welcome centers, and individual destinations. Trail welcome centers are located at Fort Mott State Park (off State Route 49 between Salem and Pennsville in Salem County near the Delaware Memorial Bridge) and at the Ocean View Tourist Information Center (Milepost 18.3 on the Garden State Parkway in Cape May County north of   Cape May).

Additional Information   http://www.newjerseycoastalheritagetrail.com/  

WildEarth Guardians

WildEarth Guardians is across the country from New Jersey, but they have a mission that we can certainly identify with in NJ. Its mission is to protect and restore wildlife, wild rivers, and wild places in the American West. They have four programs focusing on wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and climate and energy and are headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The species they protect may sound a bit more exotic than some of our Garden State species:

• Black-footed ferret
• Black-tailed prairie dog
• Canada lynx
• Gunnison's prairie dog
• Jaguarundi
• Mexican gray wolf
• New Mexico meadow jumping mouse
• Ocelot
• Utah prairie dog
• White-sided jackrabbit
• Wolverine

That wolverine is a candidate for endangered listing (North American subspecies Gulo gulo luscus).

The more we learn about wolverines, the more we find to admire. These reclusive loners were celebrated by Native Americans as powerful, all-terrain, all-season masters of the frozen North. Also called “mountain devil” and “carcajou” (French for “evil spirit”), wolverines, according to some, make the Tasmanian devil look like a sissy. Wolverines, perfectly adapted to their high-elevation habitats, will traverse miles and miles of deep snow and rough terrain in search of food. They can kill prey many times their size and will fearlessly defend food against much larger competitors. While this ultimate survivalist is more than capable of providing for itself, it has no defense against climate change. Global warming is reducing its habitat and now threatens to extirpate wolverines in the United States south of the Canadian border.

February Events at the Essex County Environmental Center

Canoeing on the Passaic River at Octoberfest event
at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland.

A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of February that will teach children and adults about nature and help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our environment.

Visit the Essex County Environmental Center at 621B Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland, NJ for environmental education and nature appreciation. With the help of partner groups, their schedule of events and activities include a walk in our woods, discovering habitats, getting pointers on gardening, learning about nature photography and much more.

 Some events scheduled for February include:

"The Colorado Rockies," a fine art photography exhibit by Fred Dammont, on display at the Center during the month of February. Admission is free.

"Little Explorers Winter Nature Program" is a child-caregiver class that uses stories, walks and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each week, a different nature or science topic is covered. Cost is $6 per child/session (additional material fees may apply).

"Birding Hike in Essex County Weequahic Park" is presented by New Jersey Audubon and is geared for adults and children over 12. Visit an Essex County oasis while searching for wintering ducks, gulls and passerine birds. All can be viewed along an easy trail around the lake. Meet at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland and we will carpool to the park. This is a free hike. Space is limited. Hikes take place unless trails are impassable due to snow or ice. Hikes will be canceled is there is heavy rain or snow. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 8 a.m.

"Maple Sugaring" is presented by New Jersey Audubon for children ages 4 to 12 and their family. Participants will "tap" a maple tree, collect some sap and make some maple syrup before returning to the Environmental Center for hot chocolate and sugar snacks. Cost is $5 for NJAS members and $7 for non-members. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-226-6082. Maple Sugaring will be held Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.

"Birding Hike in Essex County Hatfield Swamp" is presented by New Jersey Audubon and is geared for adults and children over 12. Hikers will spend the morning searching for birds and other animals of winter. Meet in the parking lot of Stop and Shop in West Caldwell. Cost is $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members. Space is limited. Hikes take place unless trails are impassable due to snow or ice. Hikes will be canceled is there is heavy rain or snow. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Saturday, February 18, 8 a.m. Meeting site: Stop and Shop Supermarket, Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell.

"Three-Day Short Course on Beekeeping" is presented by the Essex County Beekeepers Society for adults and children ages 12 and older. This short course is appropriate for new beekeepers as well as those who need a refresher. Participants will be taken through a full year of beekeeping, including purchasing and assembling equipment to harvesting, extracting, and bottling honey. Basics of disease and mite management and control will be covered. Scholarships for this course are available to young people ages 12-22. Visit www.njbeekeepers.org for more details. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $90 per person and includes ECBS/NJBA membership, continental breakfast, and afternoon snack. For more information and to register, contact Pat Gamsby at BJORNLASS@AOL.COM or 973-227-2808. E-Mail is the best means of contacting Pat. Beekeeping Course will be held Saturdays, February 18 & 25; Field Day TBA Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Registration is required for most programs at the Essex County Environmental Center. For more information or to register, please call 973-228-8776.


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Fighting Green Projects

From an article in The New York Times comes this fringe idea that ecological and environmental projects are part of a worldwide plot.

"Activists Fight Green Projects, Seeing U.N. Plot"

Across the country, activists with ties to the Tea Party are railing against all sorts of local and state efforts to control sprawl and conserve energy. They brand government action for things like expanding public transportation routes and preserving open space as part of a United Nations-led conspiracy to deny property rights and herd citizens toward cities.

They are showing up at planning meetings to denounce bike lanes on public streets and smart meters on home appliances — efforts they equate to a big-government blueprint against individual rights...

The protests date to 1992 when the United Nations passed a sweeping, but nonbinding, 100-plus-page resolution called Agenda 21 that was designed to encourage nations to use fewer resources and conserve open land by steering development to already dense areas. They have gained momentum in the past two years because of the emergence of the Tea Party movement, harnessing its suspicion about government power and belief that man-made global warming is a hoax.

It's not unlike the 1960s wave of environmentalism that hit the United States being seen as a hippie/treehugger/liberal movement only. I thought most of that had gone away as public interest groups, hunters, anglers and other "mainstream" groups began to work towards ecological sanity.

I guess I was wrong.

Read the rest of the article at
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/us/activists-fight-green-projects-seeing-un-plot.html