Vernal Pool Mapping Project - Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Vermont Vernal Pool Mapping Project

In collaboration with Arrowwood Environmental, VCE is mapping locations of potential vernal pools throughout Vermont, and recruiting a corps of volunteers to field-verify the presence of these potential pools. In the process, we will develop a GIS layer of potential and known vernal pools, as well as a database populated with biological and physical attributes of each verified pool. With partial funding from the Vermont State Wildlife Grants Program, potential vernal pools will be identified using color infrared aerial photographs.

Recruited volunteers will be provided with training materials and asked to field-check mapped pools, collect biological and physical data, and report locations of unmapped vernal pools. This
information will greatly improve conservation planning, help protect species of conservation concern that depend upon vernal pools, and preserve the ecological values associated with these critical, but often overlooked, wetland habitats.