Check out this amazing video from our friends over at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center—a year in the life of a vernal pool location.

Spotted Salamander. Photo: Lynne Flaccus

“Vernal” means “in, of, or appropriate to spring.” “Pool” means “a small area of still water, typically one formed naturally.” But put them together and you have a magical temporary wetland without which many species would not be able to breed.

On Wednesday, March 17 at 7PM, live via Zoom, join the Chocorua Lake Conservancy and the Cook Memorial Library for “Wonders of Vernal Pools,” a Zoom exploration of vernal pools and the critters that call them home by CLC Stewardship Director Lynne Flaccus.

Vernal pools are small seasonal and temporary wetlands that ‘’spring” to life soon after snowmelt. As the winter snows melt, the amphibians that were hidden under ice and snow begin to emerge, some even before the snow is entirely gone. After a long winter under snow in the forest, spotted salamanders and wood frogs make their way to vernal pools to mate and lay eggs. They don’t stay long before they head back to the forest for the rest of the year and leave their eggs to hatch on their own. Fairy shrimp rely on vernal pools, too, and many other amphibians and invertebrates also take advantage of these small wetlands with their abundance of life.

Springtime or vernal pools are typically small and isolated, often going unnoticed or seen as simple “puddles”. We’ll explore vernal pool ecology and biodiversity through photos and sounds, learning what makes a forest puddle a vernal pool and who depends on these unique wetlands for producing the next generation. And who uses these special habitats as a motel, diner, or temporary home! 

We hope you’ll join us for an evening of curiosity and online exploration of these little forest wetlands with questions and your own observations to share.

This event is free. NEW: please register in advance at bit.ly/3spKhff.

Banner image: A spotted salamander emerges from the snow. Photo: Lynne Flaccus