Vernal Pool BioBlitz

These BioBlitz events are part of a larger effort by 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, we will give a brief tutorial on the iNaturalist app, which we use to document species and as an identification aid.

Vernal pools are small wetlands that are important habitats for a great diversity of amphibians, aquatic insects, and other invertebrates. Join us as we explore vernal pools in Webster Woods/Hammond Pond Reservation and document what we see in iNaturalist. Bring calf boots if you have them, but waterproof boots will not be needed. We may encounter frog or salamander eggs and might hear calling spring peepers or American toads. We will also look at a variety of vernal pool invertebrates under magnification.

We are looking forward to the Vernal Pool BioBlitz on Sunday, April 6 at 10 AM.  Here are some important updates about the event:

Meeting Point:  Meet at Hammond Pond Parkway trailhead just south of the MBTA tracks on the west side.   Note:  dropping off here can be done but the parking location has been changed (see next item).

IMPORTANT Parking Change: Representatives of MA DCR and the City recently informed us that they would prefer that we not park cars near the trailhead along the Parkway, although this area is not signed to prohibit parking.  Therefore we recommend that you park at a DCR-owned lot located here, accessed through the entrance to the Chestnut Hill Mall, 404 Hammond Pond Parkway.  After parking, please walk about 0.4 miles to the trailhead/event location. Follow the mall entrance drive back to Hammond Pod Parkway (be careful of traffic)  to the newly paved multiuse path located on the west side of Hammond Pond Parkway and turn left which will bring you along the path directly to our meeting place before the crossover of the Green Line tracks.  The event is now planned to end right near the newly proposed parking location. We will have volunteers stationed to help point you in the right direction.  (SEE PARKING MAP BELOW)

Weather: The current forecast is for a chance of showers on Sunday morning.  If you do not receive an email cancelling the event by Saturday at 8 pm, we will hold the event, rain or shine.

Trip leader: Jonathan Regosin, a Director at Newton Conservators and Technical Advisor and Consulting Biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

For questions, email jonathan.regosin@gmail.com

Registration is now closed.  It was important for this event so we could send you scheduling change due to weather, directions or advice (such as about trail hazards) before the event and educational resources after it.