Fairy shrimp like this one spend their whole lives in vernal pools. Photo from vernalpool.org.
Shrimp in the woods?
You heard that right – and they might live in your backyard.
Tiny fairy shrimp are extremophiles that inhabit sensitive habitats worldwide, including vernal pools in our own Hilltown forests. Protecting vernal pools is essential to ensuring the survival of these minuscule crustacean – not to mention the many other creatures that live and breed in these seasonal waterways.
This April, volunteers from across the Hilltowns will gather online and in Plainfield to learn about vernal pool ecology and the process of conserving them.
Hilltown Land Trust has held vernal pool certifications over the years to help educate people about this powerful community science opportunity. While this year’s Vernal Pool Assessment Training is currently full, our Vernal Pool Conservation page is home to many resources about identifying and protecting pools anywhere in Massachusetts.
Hilltown species need support from the people who share their habitats.
You can help us sustain a vibrant Hilltown community with a gift to Hilltown Land Trust. Renew your membership or make an additional gift to help vernal pool species like the fairy shrimp thrive.
