Conserving Vernal Pools through Collaborative Local Initiatives
Abstract l Updates & Additional Materials
Principal Investigator
Partners
- Dr. Sally Stockwell, Maine Audubon Society
- Raquel Goodrich, Maine Natural Areas Program
- Evan Richert, Town Planner, Orono
Stakeholders
- Dr. Phillip deMaynadier, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
- Andrew Fisk, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- Orono Land Trust
Abstract
Significant Vernal Pools (pools meeting specific biological criteria for pool-breeding biota) will be regulated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in collaboration with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) in September, 2007. The DEP does not have the personnel to handle the demand for vernal pool assessments or to monitor permits once they have been granted. The most efficient and cost-effective way to ensure the long-term viability of our vernal pool resources is through local planning initiatives that move management from a reactive crisis mode to a proactive planning mode. The Investigator and a Master’s student will work with officials and citizens in Orono, Maine, to inventory and assess its vernal pool resources (using trained citizen scientists) and will help the Town to build a natural resources database, including vernal pools, using NatureServe software Vista. At the termination of the project, the Orono will have a GIS database of its vernal pool resources and the option to incorporate other planning layers into the Vista software in order to aid in conservation and development planning. The vernal pool data layer will also be shared with the DIFW for the Beginning with Habitat database for towns. Beginning with Habitat (BwH) is a state-federal-NGO partnership program that brings current data and information about high value plant and animal habitat to towns across the State so they can better plan for both growth and habitat protection. The PI and student will work with the town planner and manager to develop conservation initiatives through ordinances or other tools in the comprehensive planning process.
Project Updates & Additional Materials
Publications:
Vernal pool information sheet for towns (pdf format)
Reference Materials:
Oscason, Damon B. and Aram J.K. Calhoun. Developing Vernal Pool Conservation Plans at the Local Level Using Citizen Scientists. Wetlands, Vol. 27, No. 1, March 2007, pp. 80-95. © 2007, The Society of Wetland Scientists.
News Articles
Bangor Daily News Article 4/2/2008)
Orono, Veazie Eager to Map Vernal Pools
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