04-15-2008, 12:51 AM
In March on rainy/ misty nights amphibians make their migratory trek from upland wintering habitats to their breeding pools. Many times, that migration involves a risky road crossing for the amphibians. The Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) has been partnering with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and the NJ Audubon Society for the past six years to identify crossing sites and gather data regarding the potential impacts of road mortality on amphibian populations in northern NJ.
This year, we welcome our newest partner in amphibian conservation, Independence Township in Warren County. Independence has taken a leadership role and will be the first town in New Jersey to close a publicly-used road during the amphibian migration(s). Independence Township should be commended for taking this difficult, but important step in preserving their local amphibian population and becoming a model for conservation in the northeast. The road will be closed two or three nights in March from 7:00 pm - 7:00 am to allow the amphibians safe passage to their breeding pools. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict which nights the amphibians will migrate as their emergence is weather dependent. The township will be working closely with Division biologists to identify the likely migration nights and will make detour provisions for local motorists on nights when the road is closed.
Other municipalities are hoped to follow Independence Township's leadership in amphibian conservation by joining this conservation effort in 2009. For more information on participating in amphibian crossing surveys, please contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at amphib.ENSP@yahoo.com.
For more information on the value of amphibians in our natural world and as ecological indicators, please visit the following web sites:
The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife:
www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/pdf/amphibvols08.pdf
www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/vernalpool.htm
The NJ Audubon Society:<br />
https://www.njaudubon.org/Education/AmphibianIntro.html
This year, we welcome our newest partner in amphibian conservation, Independence Township in Warren County. Independence has taken a leadership role and will be the first town in New Jersey to close a publicly-used road during the amphibian migration(s). Independence Township should be commended for taking this difficult, but important step in preserving their local amphibian population and becoming a model for conservation in the northeast. The road will be closed two or three nights in March from 7:00 pm - 7:00 am to allow the amphibians safe passage to their breeding pools. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict which nights the amphibians will migrate as their emergence is weather dependent. The township will be working closely with Division biologists to identify the likely migration nights and will make detour provisions for local motorists on nights when the road is closed.
Other municipalities are hoped to follow Independence Township's leadership in amphibian conservation by joining this conservation effort in 2009. For more information on participating in amphibian crossing surveys, please contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at amphib.ENSP@yahoo.com.
For more information on the value of amphibians in our natural world and as ecological indicators, please visit the following web sites:
The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife:
www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/pdf/amphibvols08.pdf
www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/vernalpool.htm
The NJ Audubon Society:<br />
https://www.njaudubon.org/Education/AmphibianIntro.html