Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Winter Wetlands Climate Cafe - Vernal Pond Exhibit

Vernal Pond movie, Display and Critters at the Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island.

World Wetlands Day Café
In celebration of World Wetlands Day, the Refuge will host a Climate Café on Saturday, January 31 from 1:00 to 2:30pm, offering visitors a chance to take part in small group conversations about wetlands, wildlife, and conservation.
RSVP to ensure a seat!
https://www.climate-cafe.org/event-details-registration/world-wetlands-day-cafe

About the event
In midwinter, forest wetlands can look quiet —frozen, still, even empty. But beneath the ice and leaf litter, something remarkable is already underway.Right now, hidden beneath the forest floor, life is preparing for one of the wildest nights of the year.

On the first warm, rainy nights of early spring — often in mid-March — hundreds of thousands of salamanders and wood frogs will emerge after dark and begin an ancient journey back to the vernal pools where they were born. Though we call it Big Night, the migration can unfold over several nights, as amphibians lay their eggs in these small, ephemeral pools.

Join Climate Café naturalists from local high schools over a cup of coffee for a lively, curiosity-filled exploration of what’s happening in our winter wetlands as the forest quietly prepares for spring.

We’re delighted to be joined by Rick Roth of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team, who will share insights, stories, and introduce a few special critters to help us see these small waters — and their importance — in a whole new way.

We hope this Cafe will inspire you and your friends to experience Big Night firsthand by joining a local salamander walk. We’ll tell you everything you need to know so you can just grab your wellies and go!

Big Night is coming. The story has already begun.