On Friday, February 16th we presented "Intro to Vernal Ponds" at Brooksby Village in Peabody for about 35 people. The activity included our DVD, live critters and our new power point. Nice crowd, nice show. Thanks to our Volunteers Colleen Anderson, Ann Byers and Rick.

We had a very thoughtful Grant from Essex County Ecology Center/Toad Hall Bookstore. Included was a super kind letter from the President, Robert Buchsbaum, and the Board of Directors and we have quoted the body below. We want to thank them and acknowledge the exemplary work their organization has done over the years to support conservation and the CAVPT. 

"Please accept this grant ... from the Essex County Ecology Center. As you know, Toad Hall Bookstore, the funding arm of ECEC, had to close this past fall after 45 successful years in Rockport. On the positive side, we were left with some remaining funds. The Board of Directors thought it entirely appropriate that some of our remaining proceeds be granted to the Cape Ann Vernal Pool Team in support of your environmental education and conservation initiatives. Our founder, Buck Robinson, and the rest of the board were always proud of the support we were able to provide to CAVPT and to see the fruits of your labors in your wonderful video."

Wow!

Thanks again for supporting us during our Annual Appeal... keeping our doors open and funding our Wildlife Center. You're the greatest!

Nice time at the New England Herpetological Society on Sunday. We were there all day with a native Massachusetts snake display. Thousands came in the door and we were able to engage an awful lot of them. Thanks to Keith Bertone and Gabe Montague.

Nice time at the Wicked Scary Pumpkin Carving Session last week.  Good crowd: Colleen Anderson, Anna DiPerna, Jessica Kagle, Sarah Holmes, Julia, Karen and Ron Camille, Karen, Brian and Littleton Rick Roth, Dez Whitney, Nick Albina, Deb Gray and Bandit the Honduran milk snake.  

Check out the cool pumpkins under activities, special events!

Saturday, we were at the Gloucester Harvest Music Festival. They assembled a great lineup of musicians. We were there all day with a Snakes of New England and the World exhibit. Thanks to so many volunteers that helped throughout the day.

And on Sunday, Nick Taormina, Adam Boronsky and I checked out some vernal ponds in Gloucester and Essex for additional info for certification. Adam flew his drone over the pools and took some birds-eye view photos. One cool, fun tool to help us protect wetlands.

Its been another wild week. More action at the Mill Pond in Rockport. Set and baited 11 turtle traps on Wednesday morning. Thursday morning we had classes from Rockport HS and Essex Tech. Found three more turtles and more eels and elvers. I lost count of the fish that students got in the seine nets. Friday we had students from Rockport HS, Essex Tech and Glen Urquhart School. Only one more turtle. Students got hundreds more fish in the seine nets. Urquhart students were quick to learn the fishnet dredging technique for retrieving goocum from the bottom of the pond. They were able to sift through it to find dragonfly larvae, elver, freshwater clams and snails.

So... lots of animals got moved out of harm's way and moved to the Loop Pond.

Saturday, we were at the Gloucester Harvest Music Festival. They assembled a great lineup of musicians. We were there all day with a Snakes of New England and the World exhibit. Thanks to so many volunteers that helped throughout the day.

Saturday, all-day Snake Exhibit for Maritime Heritage Day at Maritime Gloucester. Thanks again to our volunteers Marisa Neves, Ann Byers, Marion Healey, Dylan Piscitella, Jason Healey, Kayla Saltonstall, Victoria Rolf, Anna DiPerna, Keith Bertone, and Rick.

Really a fabulous job by our courageous vernal pond team members. Setup and breakdown went like clockwork at all three events this weekend. Great job of getting all our visitors up close and personal with our snakes. I really can't say enough about all the people who came together and made these events a great success.