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Hilltown Land Trust

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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9:45 AM - Breckenridge Sanctuary Snowshoe--Meet at James School
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10:00 AM - Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
10:00 AM - Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
12:30 PM - Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
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Breckenridge Sanctuary Snowshoe--Meet at James School
04 Mar
Mar 4th, 2015    
9:45 am - 12:00 pm
Helen E. James School
Join the Hilltown Land Trust (HLT) for a mid-week snowshoe on Wednesday the 4th of March on our beautiful Breckenridge Sanctuary. All are welcome for [...]
More Info
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
Mar 7th, 2015    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bullitt Reservation
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
Learn to identify animal tracks with an experienced nature educator while exploring the fields and forests at Bullitt. Pre-registration required. Snowshoe rentals available - quantities are [...]
More Info
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
Mar 7th, 2015    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Jackson Swamp
  • Workshop
Learn about low-impact sustainable forestry with forester Tom Jenkens. Meet his oxen team and watch them in action on Hilltown Land Trust's Jackson Swamp property.  Learn [...]
More Info
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
Mar 7th, 2015    
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Jackson Swamp
  • Family Fun
  • Kids
  • Workshop
Can we really cut down trees and help the animals of the forest? Learn how! Watch how the strength of these working animals help a forester "weed" the forest, and can actually help other trees grow. Meet a real oxen team and watch them in action as you learn about low-impact sustainable forestry with experienced forester Tom Jenkens.
More Info
Events on Mar 4th, 2015
04 Mar
Breckenridge Sanctuary Snowshoe--Meet at James School
4 Mar 15
Williamsburg
Events on Mar 7th, 2015
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
7 Mar 15
Ashfield
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
7 Mar 15
Chesterfield
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
7 Mar 15
Chesterfield
  • About
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    • Conservation Restrictions
    • Agricultural Preservation Restrictions
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  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
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      • Conwell
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      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
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  • Get Involved
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© 2026 Hilltown Land Trust | Hilltown Land is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Est. 1986