Melting snow is a reminder that spring is around the corner and an invitation to get outside and explore the wonders of the woods as the season turns. Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature Center, 1,000 acres and nearly 30 miles of trails in Jefferson, provides a perfect place to see what spring has to offer. Midcoast Conservancy will host an exploration of vernal pools on Friday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon to learn about the amazing web of life that abounds in those seasonal water bodies. Amanda Shearin, from Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and an amphibian expert, will lead a hike to reveal some of the vernal pool secrets at HVNC.

Of all the interesting ways to observe the advance of spring, vernal pools are one of the most fascinating. A vernal pool is a temporary woodland pond or small body of water, often overlooked, which plays a central role in the life cycle of many amphibians and turtles and the organisms that rely on them. They have important implications and impacts on local wildlife, outdoor recreation, and forestry operations.

Participants will learn about the species of frog, turtle, and salamander that rely on vernal pools; learn to identify and count egg masses; and learn about the complex dynamics that make vernal pools so fascinating.

Attendees should come prepared for an outdoor class, rain or shine, dress warmly and be prepared for muddy conditions and the possibility of bugs. Participants are encouraged to bring a net, camera, sunglasses and hand lens if desired.

The hike will be about 1.5 miles, visiting at least three of HVNC’s many vernal pools. For more information, or to register, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/vernal-pools-exploration-3/; There is a 20-person limit and participants must bring masks.

Shearin will also be offering a Virtual Vernal Pool Exploration on Tuesday, April 27, from 6:30-8 p.m. More information and registration can be found at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/virtual-vernal-pool-exploration-2/