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Dedicated to protecting the working lands, native habitats and rural beauty of the Hilltowns since 1986

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You are here: Home / Announcements / What’s Up With Vernal Pools?

What’s Up With Vernal Pools?

April 21, 2025

By Mariel Hohmann, TerraCorps Land Stewardship Coordinator

A graphic containing a photo of Nellie reaching into a body of water with a net, with the caption "Vernal pool volunteer Nellie Wilson," and a spotted salamander, on a light yellow circle.

As snowmelt and rainy days fill the vernal pools of the Hilltowns, salamanders, frogs, and fairy shrimp are on the move. And so is HLT!

You don’t have to be a land trust to conserve these sensitive habits. In fact, anyone can help get a vernal pool certified by submitting their observations to the state!

Hilltown Land Trust has held vernal pool certifications over the years to help educate people about this powerful community science opportunity. This winter, we hosted a reunion for our intrepid Vernal Pool Plunge trainees to reconnect, celebrate their accomplishments, and look to the future.

Going forward, we’re banding together to conserve more vernal pools and educate more folks about them. Head to our Vernal Pool Plunge page to learn more and keep an eye out for these fragile environments in your area!

Help Vernal Pools
Silhouettes of the HLT logo bear and cub.

Filed Under: Announcements, Newsletter

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Work Day at the Stevens Property
Work Day at the Stevens Property
Oct 8th, 2021    
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Stevens Property
  • Work Day
Join Audrey, HLT’s TerraCorps Land Stewardship Coordinator, Baystate Forestry Services' Lincoln Fish, Engagement Committee member and event leader Cesi Marseglia and other volunteers for a [...]
More Info
Phenology/Seasonal Changes Series - October
Phenology/Seasonal Changes Series - October
Oct 9th, 2021    
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
What happens in a landscape as the temperature, weather, and light change over the course of a season? This fall, join Hilltown Land Trust and [...]
More Info
Nature Awareness Hike
Nature Awareness Hike
Oct 13th, 2021    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Explore the route less traveled at Chapel Brook Reservation on a moderate hike along the DAR Trail. Together with HLT Community Engagement Coordinator Sarah Welch, [...]
More Info
Invasive Wild Edibles Walk
Invasive Wild Edibles Walk
Oct 17th, 2021    
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Have you ever wondered which wild plants are not only nutritious and tasty, but also free and readily available in nature? Have you ever gotten [...]
More Info
Events on Oct 8th, 2021
Work Day at the Stevens Property
Work Day at the Stevens Property
8 Oct 21
Huntington
Events on Oct 9th, 2021
Phenology/Seasonal Changes Series - October
Phenology/Seasonal Changes Series - October
9 Oct 21
Events on Oct 13th, 2021
Nature Awareness Hike
Nature Awareness Hike
13 Oct 21
Events on Oct 17th, 2021
Invasive Wild Edibles Walk
Invasive Wild Edibles Walk
17 Oct 21
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      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
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