This spring, with the help of amphibian expert Katie Holzer, our urban land stewards Megan and Kaegan have launched an amphibian survey program to monitor amphibian populations on six of our urban preserves. Together, they trained and developed a dedicated amphibian survey team of about 20 people for a season-long search for the egg masses of four native species, two frogs and two salamanders. Egg masses of salamanders that had never been observed on some of our preserves were found during the first survey! The surveys will continue, depending on how wet the spring is, through April and potentially into May. Stay tuned for more great pictures and updates throughout the season!
Our amphibian survey team checking out a salamander on one of our urban preserves in Tigard.
Surveyors delicately comb the water and channels below the vegetation for egg masses.
Surveyors searching for egg masses and getting ready to mark locations with bamboo poles.
Amphibian survey crew training.