You’ve probably seen them every spring but not known that they have a special name: vernal pools. What makes them special, and why should we care about them? Join us to hear Scott Jackson explain the basics of vernal pool ecology, what their vulnerabilities are, and what we can do to help conserve them. We’ll learn the characteristics of these temporary ecosystems, what kinds of species they support, why they are such good breeding habitat for amphibians, and how to identify amphibian eggs and larvae. If circumstances permit, Scott will bring specimens with him – but he will make up for any lack with his repertoire of frog calls, which is not weather dependent! He will also share his beautiful photographs of the pools and their inhabitants.

Scott is a wildlife biologist who teaches in the Department of Natural Resources Conservation at UMass-Amherst and at the UMass Extension. He strives to make up-to-date research comprehensible to the public – as he puts it, “good, practical knowledge."

Free and open to the public

413-863-9972

www.greatfallsma.org