THE (CITIZEN) SCIENCE OF SPRING

ANN PETERS

For the past two years our family has volunteered with the AM&RC (Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossing) to witness and document the great amphibian migration.

This migration occurs on the wettest of nights in March and April, and, Citizen Scientists (trained volunteers) like ourselves, greatly look forward to them. For the purpose of science, we skip bedtime and don reflective gear, headlamps, clipboards, pencils, and unfortunately, a spatula.

We head out to a favorite migration spot in the area and walk up and down the road for an hour or two, photographing, counting, and moving the amphibians we find across the road. My daughter (age 7) enjoys catching

the spring peeper frogs and eastern newts. My favorite find was the spotted salamander that was the size of my hand!

Seeing pictures of these creatures is one thing, but witnessing one scuttle across the road with its bright spots catching the flashlights rays, is a different experience entirely. Making this activity a family affair requires extra safety efforts and consideration, but is well worth the missed bedtime.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE AMPHIBIAN AT A TIME

Interested in volunteering with the Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossing? You can sign up for email alerts for training sessions and more information here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/51925.html

Ann Peters is an avid outdoor explorer, a Rover Scout and Otter scout leader with the 91st Sojourners- BPSA, the Catskill-Woodstock Ambassador for Hike it Baby, a homeschool mom to 2 kids, and a Catskill Center volunteer. Keep an eye out for more stories from Ann on making a difference as a Citizen Scientist.

PHOTOS: ANN PETERS