Watching Wetland Wildlife Workshop
On April 4th, 2009, Mick McLaughlin (mick@jcmenv.com) and Catherine Byrd (catherine@jcmenv.com) attended the Delaware Adopt-A-Wetland Watching Wetlands Wildlife Workshop at the Delaware Aquatic Resources Education Center in Smyrna, Delaware.
The Adopt-A-Wetland Program is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. It is a community based environmental stewardship program where individuals and groups “adopt” a wetland in the State of Delaware. The workshop was geared towards promoting the Adopt-A-Wetland program and to inform people about loan monitoring kits. Approximately 30 people attended the workshop. During the workshop, four monitoring kit stations were set up and participants were encouraged to visit each station. The four Adopt-A-Wetland Program loan kits on display included the following: water quality; macro invertebrates; amphibians and reptiles; and invasive and native plants.
Part of the workshop also included a trip to a vernal pool at Cedar Swamp led by Mick and Catherine. Participants learned about vernal pools and the organisms that call them home. Mick and Catherine waded through the vernal pool in search of critters, while participants walked around the edge with nets. Several Spotted Salamander egg masses were found, as well as, some aquatic insects. Due to the windy weather, no adult salamanders or Fairy Shrimp were found. However, Mick had collected some salamanders from another site and brought them to the program for display.
During the program, Mick discussed the intricacies of vernal pools with participants and answered questions. Afterwards, participants returned to the Aquatic Resources Education Center for the Adopter Achievement Awards. Overall, it was a fun-filled and educational day for everyone.
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