Lakes Environmental Association is once again pleased to announce its preparations for the most thrilling natural event of the year: Big Night. The association will host its annual Big Night Road Watches during April during the migration of frogs and salamanders during the first warm rains of spring,
Big Night Training Workshops will be held Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday April 3 at 7 p.m. at the Lakes Environmental Association Lakes Center at 230 Main St. in Bridgton. A Big Night program will also be held at the Casco Library Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
When the Earth is thawed, night time temperatures hover above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and a light rain soaks the ground, salamanders and frogs slither and hop to vernal pools, small wetlands where they breed. Unfortunately, for many amphibians this yearly trek forces them to cross roads, where their journey ends under the tires of passing cars. Every year, Lakes Environmental Association staff and volunteers lend a hand to these amphibians by going out on local roads and helping the intrepid travelers across.
The Big Night Road Watch Trainings on March 26, April 3 10 will help prepare volunteers for the actual Big Night experience. Attendance at a Big Night Road Watch Training is strongly suggested for all new participants.
This program is part of the Caplan Family Environmental Education Series at the association, sponsored by Hu and Ray Caplan and their family. For more information on this and other programs in this series, call 647-8580 or visit the association Web site at www.mainelakes.org.
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