< February 2012 >

When the first early spring rains come, thousands of salamanders, frogs, and toads will emerge from their winter slumber. They'll make short, stealthy migrations through the forest to breed and lay their eggs in vernal pools.

In many places across NJ, roads now stand in their way. A single vehicle can crush dozens of the slow-moving animals as they try to cross the road during migration.

Two major amphibian crossings occur in Independence and Liberty Townships (northern Warren Co), and we aim to protect them. On rainy evenings from late February through March, our teams of volunteers will be serving as “Crossing Guards” - slowing traffic, moving amphibians across the road, and collecting data about the migration.

Interested in this project? All are welcome to attend our talk, which will be followed by a training session for volunteers. Interested volunteers must RSVP.

When the first early spring rains come, thousands of salamanders, frogs, and toads will emerge from their winter slumber. They'll make short, stealthy migrations through the forest to breed and lay their eggs in vernal pools.

In many places across NJ, roads now stand in their way. A single vehicle can crush dozens of the slow-moving animals as they try to cross the road during migration.

A major amphibian crossing occurs in Hampton Township (Sussex Co), and we aim to protect it. On rainy evenings from late February through March, our teams of volunteers will be serving as “Crossing Guards” - slowing traffic, moving amphibians across the road, and collecting data about the migration.

Interested in this project? All are welcome to attend our talk, which will be followed by a training session for volunteers. Interested volunteers must RSVP.

Ben Wurst started his career in 2004 where he found a passion for working with Ospreys for the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program. For the past 8 years, during the summer, he has surveyed hundreds of nests, banded many young, and installed over 100 nest platforms. In this presentation he will discuss the history of the project, life history of the osprey, recovery efforts, and current monitoring methods. Currently he works as the Habitat Program Manager for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ where he raises private funding to support the NJ Osprey Project.

Presentation hosted by Southern Ocean County Birding Group.

When the first early spring rains come, thousands of salamanders, frogs, and toads will emerge from their winter slumber. They'll make short, stealthy migrations through the forest to breed and lay their eggs in vernal pools.

In many places across NJ, roads now stand in their way. A single vehicle can crush dozens of the slow-moving animals as they try to cross the road during migration.

At least one major amphibian crossing occurs in Byram Township (southern Sussex Co), and we aim to protect it. On rainy evenings from late February through March, our team of volunteers will be serving as “Crossing Guards” - slowing traffic, moving amphibians across the road, and collecting data about the migration.

Interested in this project? All are welcome to attend our talk, which will be followed by a training session for volunteers. Interested volunteers must RSVP.

When the first early spring rains come, thousands of salamanders, frogs, and toads will emerge from their winter slumber. They'll make short, stealthy migrations through the forest to breed and lay their eggs in vernal pools.

In many places across NJ, roads now stand in their way. A single vehicle can crush dozens of the slow-moving animals as they try to cross the road during migration.

Some major amphibian road-crossings occur in West Milford (Passaic Co.) and we aim to protect them. On rainy evenings from late February through March, our team of volunteers will be serving as “Crossing Guards” - slowing traffic, moving amphibians across the road, and collecting data about the migration.

Interested in this project? All are welcome to attend our talk, which will be followed by a training session for volunteers. Interested volunteers must RSVP.