Vernal Pool Construction

After excavating the pool, leaves and debris were added to give structure for amphibians to attach their egg masses and the surrounding area was seeded with native plants and warm season grasses. Eastern tiger salamander eggs were transplanted to the site and placed in enclosure cages. These cages were designed to float in the water column to maintain appropriate depth while protecting the eggs from predation. In the spring, larvae were also released in the pool after being headstarted by the Cape May County Zoo. Natural migration and breeding was also documented at these new pools. The completed pond in August 2012.