The Newton Conservators will host a Vernal Pool BioBlitz on Sunday, April 6, 10AM-12PM, to help people of all ages to explore the plants and wildlife of Webster Woods (450 Hammond Pond Parkway, Chestnut Hill) and improve plant identification skills. This event is FREE. Register here.
Vernal pools are small wetlands that are important habitats for a great diversity of amphibians, aquatic insects, and other invertebrates. Participants will explore vernal pools in Webster Woods/Hammond Pond Reservation and document what they see. Calf boots are recommended, but waterproof boots are not needed. Participants may encounter frog or salamander eggs and might hear calling spring peepers or American toads. They will also look at a variety of vernal pool invertebrates under magnification.
These BioBlitz events are part of a larger effort by the Newton Conservators to document and raise awareness about the great diversity of plants and animals that inhabit Newton’s open spaces. At the beginning of the event, will be a brief tutorial on the iNaturalist app, which is used to document species and as an identification aid. Download this free and useful identification app to your phone or tablet beforehand from the Apple App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android. The current iNaturalist project for Flowed Meadow and Auburndale Park includes previous observations.
For more info, contact trip leader Jonathan Regosin at jonathan.regosin@gmail.com.
Meet at Hammond Pond Parkway trailhead just south of the MBTA tracks on the west side (parking available along the west side of the road).
