Vernal Pool Initiative

What is a vernal pool:
"A Vernal pool is a seasonal watercourse in a defined depression or basin, that lacks a fish population and supports or is capable of supporting breeding and development of amphibian or invertebrate species recognized as "obligate"- which means without the vernal pool, the species cannot survive. These species include spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander complex, marbled salamander, wood frog, and fairy shrimp."

Benefits of a vernal pool:
"Biodiversity, biomass, food chain support, education, aesthetics"

Project description:
"In 2003, CT Ecosystems was retained to identify PVPs in the Town of Vernon. Black & white aerial photographs were reviewed with mirror stereoscopes, and potential vernal pools were identified by dark "fingerprints", canopy breaks, and landscape position. Forty-eight PVPs were identified, false positives & negatives were expected".

Project results:
"The Inland Wetlands Commission & the Conservation Commission attended a presentation by Ed Pawlak, CT Ecosystems, to review the project results which were: 29 confirmed vernal pools, 21 PVPS were not vernal pools, 5 PVPS had access denied, and 5 PVPS had unknown unknownership."

Next steps:
1) The Conservation Commission will hold an educational review of the project results for the General Public & other Landuse Commissions in late 2006

2) The CC will continue to identify & accumulate data for Vernon natural resource inventories

3) The CC will work with the Open Space Task Force and the Vernon Inland Wetlands Commission to protect productive pools, preserve as much of the surrounding forest as possible, maintain migratory connections between productive pools, and educate the public about the biological importance of vernal pools