BIG NIGHT: Help us, help amphibians cross the road each spring
If you live by a crossing — sign up to be notified when to avoid driving and squishing critters.
Or get involved by volunteering to help amphibians safely cross the road to their woodland pools!
WHAT
Winnkaee is thrilled to participate each year in the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Amphibian Migration and Road Crossing (AM&RC) program, aka “BIG NIGHT.”
Each year, we invite the public to become citizen scientists by helping us identify the variety and numbers of species heading to Vlei Marsh during peak migration nights in the spring.
We also collaborate with Climate Smart Rhinebeck and Saw Kill Watershed Community to connect you to other locations in Rhinebeck and Red Hook where you can make a difference ensuring salamanders and frogs reach their breeding destinations across roads.
New this year, we are coordinating text outreach to neighbors of area wetlands to help them avoid driving on the few rainy nights a year – known as BIG NIGHTS – when the most amphibians make their dash across roads and are most vulnerable.
WHERE:
- WINNAKEE BIG NIGHT OUTING will be held at our Vlei Marsh Preserve, near entrance at 186 Vlei Road, Rhinebeck, please enter Vlei Rd via Burger Hill Rd to avoid main amphibian migration area near 9G (map below)
- Additional options to volunteer through Climate Smart Rhinebeck near Chancellor Livingston Elementary and Ferncliff Forest.
- Amphibian Migration – Sawkill Watershed is hosting outings in Red Hook near Winnakee’s Saw Kill Trails and other spots
WHEN:
To be determined, on one of the first warm, rainy night in March, volunteers will head out shortly after sunset and join us in helping amphibians safely cross the road from approximately 7-9PM. Afterwards, you’ll submit data to the DEC to help monitor populations of amphibians. This data helps reveal the health of our watersheds and identify areas of conservation importance.
HOW:
Want to get involved? Register to volunteer. Sign up to receive alerts when conditions look promising for a “BIG” amphibian migration night.
SIGN UP FOR ALERTS on RHINEBECK BIG NIGHT LOCATIONS AND OUTINGSOVERVIEW DEC VIDEO OF HOW IT WORKS & WHY WE DO BIG NIGHT
Learn about the conservation needs of forest amphibians, and how you can help during their seasonal migrations to vernal pools in the Hudson River estuary watershed.
DEC VIRTUAL BIG NIGHT VOLUNTEER TRAINING MATERIALS
Learn more details to prepare yourself to be ready to count amphibians and help them cross the road.
Interested in learning more? Check out individual volunteer training module videos created by the DEC. You’ll find presentations on the importance of wetlands, forests, and amphibians; woodland pool ecology and breeding migrations; amphibian identification; how to be an AM&RC volunteer; and how to locate a potential crossing site. Total time to watch all five is about 80 minutes.
WATCH VOLUNTEER TRAINING MODULESWHAT TO BRING ON BIG NIGHT
One you sign up for GroupMe app text alerts, we will let you know when weather conditions look promising for a BIG NIGHT. Note: Please wash your hands of any residue soaps, perfumes or sanitizers, as amphibian skin is vulnerable to these things.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR BIG NIGHT:
- Amphibian Identification Guide PDF
- DEC Amphibian Crossing Resource page
- Data Form (PDF): Use for printing and recording observations in the field.
- AM&RC Volunteer Handbook (this is a must read!)
RELATED CONTENT
JOIN US WHEN AMPHIBIANS COME OUT ON BIG NIGHT!
by Uri Perrin, Senior Director of Advancement & External Affairs
It’s getting close to that delightful time of year when a walk through the woods can offer a chorus of frogs, and as winter wanes after a few warm nights, followed by rain – Big Night! READ MORE
