Wood frogs, spotted salamanders and fairy shrimp, oh my!

Join naturalist and Chocorua Lake Conservancy Stewardship Director Lynne Flaccus for a vernal pool exploration at the Clark Preserve in Chocorua. Join us for a few hours of discovery, learning about vernal pools and the amazing critters that live there. The pools we will visit are a little less than a mile from the road on moderate trails, so this adventure will include a wonderful short hike.

Vernal pools are small seasonal and temporary wetlands that ‘’spring” to life soon after snowmelt. Several forest amphibians depend on these seasonal wetlands for their breeding habitat and as nurseries for their offspring, while spending most of their adult life in the surrounding forest. Wood frogs, spotted salamanders and fairy shrimp rely on vernal pools while many other amphibians and invertebrates also take advantage of these small wetlands and their abundance of life.

Come along and help us discover who is living in the Clark Preserve pools and learn about their unique adaptations. Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots for the walk in, and dress in layers for warmth. All ages are welcome—this is a great vacation week activity for the whole family. Kids, please bring an adult with you. We’ll have a few nets and tools that we can use for careful exploration along the shore, and identification cards. Please leave your dog at home for this adventure!

We’ll meet at the head of the “Old Mail Rd.” on Chocorua Lake Rd., just east and downhill from the intersection of Philbrick Neighborhood Rd. Questions: 603-323-6252.

Naturalist Lynne Flaccus has 30 years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, managing protected properties, studying wildlife, and educating adults and children.