NJSWEP Webinar: Saving the Spotted Salamander

The Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculata) is a species of special conservation concern in NJ due to declining numbers and habitat loss.  It is a “mole” salamander, spending most of its life underground in burrows or under rocks or logs in the forest and is seldom seen by humans. However, during a short period each year in late winter, when weather conditions are just right, these salamanders emerge from their underground homes and, under cover of darkness and heavy rain, make their way slowly to their breeding pools. Often these salamanders must cross man-made roads and highways and risk being killed by passing vehicles. Over time this can lead to the complete extirpation of the species from a particular area. The Sourland region in NJ has many vernal breeding pools used by amphibians, including the Spotted salamander. This webinar will tell the story of a dedicated group of Sourland Conservancy  volunteers who come together each year to identify and monitor road crossing areas for salamanders, and to train and deploy crossing guards who will help these creatures safely reach their breeding area.  

Our speaker, Juanita Hummel, is a retired research scientist turned citizen scientist who volunteers with several land trusts and conservation organizations. She has lived on the unique Sourland Mountain in NJ for 40 years where she tends a few backyard acres of forest, native plants and natural vernal pools.  She is a long-time birder, past president of Washington Crossing Audubon Society, a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, and a volunteer Interpretive Naturalist at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve where she also chairs the Education Committee.  Every year she helps the NJ state-endangered Spotted Salamanders and other amphibians safely cross roads during their annual late-winter migrations from their homes in the forests to their breeding pools.  In her spare time, she enjoys eco-traveling to observe birds and other wildlife in their native habitats throughout the world.

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