Amphibian Project

Since the spring of 2006, The Friends of Wallkill River NWR have partnered with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Non-game Species Program and the New Jersey Audubon Society to record data on amphibian road crossings around the refuge. The purpose of the project is to determine if there are any areas of high volume activity. We record data for all live frogs and salamanders found as well as mortality data.

Amphibians migrate from woodlands and uplands, some up to a mile, to vernal pools on rainy nights in early spring, in order to mate. Vernal pools are temporary pools which fill annually from precipitation, runoff or rising ground water. Some are permanent or may last several years, but most dry out at some point during the summer months. This prohibits fish from inhabiting these pools and thus gives the eggs and larva of the amphibians a greater chance for survival. The vernal pools and upland habitats within the refuge benefit from the watershed protection provided by a national wildlife refuge, but there still is danger from having to cross roads.

Amphibians are considered by many scientists as an indicator species of the overall environmental health of a region. Their delicate, permeable skin and sensitivity to environmental change have made them one of the first organisms in an ecosystem to show signs of damage to the broader environment, such as changes in contaminant loads, or temperature regimes. As such, they are important species to monitor. This survey is one tool the refuge and state biologists may use to protect its important amphibian “indicator” species.

Groups of volunteers conduct the surveys on rainy nights in March when the temperature is above 35 degrees. We are primarily concerned with the vernal pool obligates such as Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders, but we also encounter significant numbers of Spring Peepers, Red-spotted Newts and others and we record all species that are found.

In 2010, we will again conduct these surveys and will be holding an orientation program on Friday, February 20 at 7:30pm at the refuge headquarters at 1547 County Route 565. At this session, we will familiarize you with the data gathering protocol and answer any questions you may have. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are required to register with the state’s Wildlife Conservation Corps. We would also ask you to sign up as a volunteer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which manages the refuge. The reason for this is that accurately recording volunteering hours is beneficial to these organizations when applying for grants and funding for various programs.

If you are interested in being a part of this program, please contact Ken Witkowski at (973) 208-9808 or kenwitkowski@yahoo.com to register or for additional information.

Native Bee Project

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