Vernal pools are small, seasonal wetlands that flood in spring and dry up by midsummer, creating vital, fish-free nurseries for amphibians like salamanders and wood frogs. These hidden gems also provide food and water for countless forest creatures—but their small size and temporary nature make them especially vulnerable to human impacts. Join Kevin Tolan from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) as we take a virtual step into the world of vernal pools and learn how to document and conserve these delicate ecosystems in your area.

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Kevin is also touring the state with a series of field events co-hosted with local conservation commissions. If you would like to schedule an event in your town, please reach out to Kevin at ktolan@vtecostudies.org.

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2026 Vernal Pools Field Tour

Norwich – Saturday, April 11th
Co-hosted by the Norwich Conservation Commission and the Upper Valley Land Trust

Salisbury – Wednesday, April 22nd @ 10:00 am
Co-hosted by the Salisbury and Ripton Conservation Commissions

Brattleboro – Saturday, April 25th @ 10:00 am
Co-hosted by the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center

Hartford – Sunday, April 26th @ 10:00 am
Co-hosted by the Hartford Conservation Commission and Hartford Salamander Team

Hinesburg – Sunday, April 26th @ 10:00 am
Co-hosted by the Hinesburg Conservation Commission

Strafford – Saturday, May 2nd
Co-hosted by the Strafford Conservation Commission

Rupert – Sunday, May 3rd @ 10:00 am
Co-hosted by the Merck Forest and Farmland Center

Burke – Sunday, May 17th | 12:00 to 4:00 pm
Co-hosted by the Northern Forest Center and the Burke Conservation Commission
Email kgray@northernforest.org or jevans@northernforest.org to register

Participants should dress for the weather and wear sturdy waterproof footwear or rubber boots. Some events will require hiking upwards of a mile into the woods.

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The Vernal Pool Atlas is an online database of vernal pool location and monitoring data. Created by VCE in collaboration with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (VTFWD), this state-wide repository of all things vernal pool is an interactive community science data-gathering tool for the public to use. The success of VPAtlas is dependent upon volunteer citizen scientists. You can help us field-verify potential pools that have been mapped remotely, report the location of vernal pools you already know about, or discover new-to-us pools to put on the map. Watch the VPAtlas tutorial to get started, visit VCE’s website for more direction, and download the resources below when you’re ready to get out in the field!

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