April 4, 2012
- Is It a Puddle or a Habitat?
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Long Island - Belmont Lake State Park
- Hudson Valley - Norrie Point and Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Centers
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Is It a Puddle or a Habitat?
What is a Vernal Pool?
When the snow melts and spring rains arrive, the water runoff often flows down hills and collects in small, shallow pools. These seasonal puddles are called vernal pools. They only contain water for a few months during the spring and early summer, and their only source of water is rain and snowmelt. By the time late summer arrives, most vernal pools have dried up.
Vernal Pools throughout the Year
When vernal pools begin to fill with water during early spring, bacteria and protozoa feed on bits of dead plants and animal matter at the bottom of the pool. Algae (microscopic plants) begin to grow, providing food for other animals. Eggs and spores that lay dormant in the soil during the winter begin to hatch, and soon, the pool is home to dozens of invertebrates like fairy shrimp, water fleas and aquatic beetles.
Frogs, snakes, birds and mammals come to these pools to feed on the invertebrates and drink the cool clean water. An entire ecosystem springs up from what started out as nothing more than a big puddle. Some salamanders and frogs lay eggs in vernal pools. The eggs develop in the pool, and when the young hatch, they quickly move to the land before the pool dries up. As summer arrives and the water in the pools evaporates, the seeds of the plants in the muddy soil begin to grow. Wildflowers rim the sides of the pool, and butterflies come to drink the nutrient rich, muddy water that remains. The invertebrates that called the pool home during those few short months lay their eggs, and the plants drop spores and seeds that will grow the following spring, continuing the cycle of the vernal pool.
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Family Fun
Visit a Vernal Pool
Vernal pools can form anywhere with the right conditions. After a spring rainfall, visit a vernal pool with an adult. Bring along a measuring tape, thermometer, notebook and camera, and collect the following data:
-Photograph of the pool
-Location of the pool (woods, open field, swamp, drainage area, rocky area)
-Size of the pool (length, width, area, depth)
-Color of the water
-Warmth of the water
-Plants growing in or around the pool
-Animals you observe in or around the pool
Record the data in your notebook, and go back several times throughout the spring and summer to observe changes at the pool.
Build a Butterfly "Pond"
Butterflies need minerals, not just nectar, to survive. They find minerals in shallow, muddy water-usually less than one inch deep. They can often be found at vernal pools in the morning. Build a butterfly pond in your yard by taking a pie tin or other shallow pan and filling it with dirt (rich in nutrients). Add enough water to make a soupy mix, and set the pan in a sunny area near some flowers. You will have to add water every day to keep the mud very wet.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Long Island
Spring Fishing Festival at Belmont Lake State Park
Saturday, April 14 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Kick off the spring season with a day of fishing for the whole family! NYSDEC stocks Belmont Lake with more than 1,000 trout for the event. Loaner rods and free bait will be available. Cost: $8 parking fee, free with Empire Passport. Contact I FISH NY at 631-444-0283 for more information and directions.
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Programs at Stony Kill are now offered by the Stony Kill Foundation; there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Open Barn Tour
Saturdays and Sundays, April 7, 8, 14 and 15 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Norrie Point Environmental Center
Discover Norrie: Signs of Spring
Saturday, April 14 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Watchable Wildlife: Coyotes
Saturday, April 7 at 10:00 AM
Watchable Wildlife: Amphibians
Saturday, April 7 at 2:00 PM
Family Fun: Birding for Kids
Tuesday, April 10 at 10:00 AM
Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. Please call the center at 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, April 2.
Family Fun: Beavers for Kids
Thursday, April 12 at 2:00 PM
Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. Please call the center at 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, April 2.
Watchable Wildlife: The Early Bird
Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 AM
Binoculars and bird books are helpful but not necessary.
Family Fun: Five Rivers Indoor Wildlife
Saturday, April 14 at 2:00 PM
Parent(s) and child(ren) must accompany each other. Please call 518-475-0291 to register by Monday, April 9.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center (This link leaves DEC's website)
How Spiders Make a Living
Saturday, April 14 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Call 518-456-0655, or go the Albany Pine Bush website to register. Cost: $3.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center (This link leaves DEC's website)
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursdays, April 5 and 12 at 4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K through 5. No registration required.
EcoBots: Tinkering with Motors and Magnetism
Saturday, April 7 at 10:30 AM
Construct your own creations to be powered by the sun. Materials fee = $4.00 per child; Friends of Reinstein members = $2.00. For children ages 8 and up. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
The Reinstein Woods Experience
Saturday, April 7 at 1:30 PM
Explore and learn about our environmentally friendly "green" building, and tour the trails during this guided program. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
CSI: Critter Sign Investigation
Tuesday, April 10 at 10:00 AM
For children ages 6 through 10. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Flying WILD Workshop
Wednesday, April 11 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Flying WILD materials introduce students to bird conservation through hands-on activities and bird festivals. This workshop is for educators (classroom teachers, scout leaders, homeschoolers, etc.) of youth in grades 6 through 8. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Frogs in Harmony
Wednesday, April 11 at 7:30 PM
Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Water Olympics
Friday, April 13 at 10:30 AM
Have fun exploring the world of water in this casual competition. For kids ages 8 through 12. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Worm Composting
Saturday, April 14 at 11:00 AM
Materials fee = $6.00/starter kit; Friends of Reinstein members = $3.00. For adults and kids ages 9 and older. Call 716-683-5959 to register.
Waking Up Our Senses
Saturday, April 14 at 2:00 PM
Call 716-683-5959 to register.