[vernalpool] Re: Organizing a Big Night

Hello Eric (and everyone!) -

We've been organizing Salamander Crossing Brigades here in southwest New
Hampshire
<http://www.aveo.org/citizen-science/salamander-crossing-brigades/> for six
(going on seven) years now, modeling our program after the one developed by
Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center <http://beec.org/?page_id=83> in
southern Vermont. A few things:

(1) We've got our Salamander Crossing Guard Volunteer Handbook and other
program materials (amphibian ID sheets, data forms, and the like) up on our
website (click here
<http://www.aveo.org/citizen-science/salamander-crossing-brigades/> ). I'll
be making a few small changes to our program for the 2011 season, so expect
updated materials in another few weeks, but the site should be a good
jumping off point for folks who are just getting started.

(2) Every year, I hear from folks who want to participate in a road
crossing, but don't live in our neck of the woods. To point these people in
the right direction, I've started compiling a list of amphibian crossing
programs in the Northeast
<http://www.aveo.org/citizen-science/salamander-crossing-brigades/other-amph
ibian-crossing-programs/> . If you've got a program going (or are trying to
get one started!), please let me know. I'd love to add you to the list!

(3) Laura Heady (of the Hudson River Estuary Program
<http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/51925.html> ) and I will be convening an
informal lunchtime meeting of "Big Night" practitioners (which includes both
people who run amphibian crossing programs and people who want to run
amphibian crossing programs) at the Northeast Natural History Conference
<http://www.eaglehill.us/NENHC_2011/NENHC2011.shtml> in Albany, NY this
April. We'll be sharing our road crossing experiences, discussing strategy
and exploring the possibility of regional collaborations. The more, the
merrier, so join us if you can!

Best,

Brett

-----

Brett Amy Thelen, M.S.

Program Director, Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory

Harris Center for Conservation Education

(603) 358-2065

thelen@harriscenter.org

www.aveo.org

mailing address

83 King's Highway

Hancock, NH 03449

physical address

Carroll House, Room 303

Keene State College

Keene, NH 03431

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