Pare’s Sarah Pierce and Lauren Gluck recently spent time assisting local Conservation Commission staff in three Massachusetts towns with the evaluation of potential vernal pools on town property. Following Sarah and Lauren’s presentation on vernal pool evaluations at the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commission (MACC) fall conference, three winners were drawn as part of a special giveaway to aid conservation commissions with certifying additional vernal pools in their towns.

Typically, the certification process requires investigation of potential vernal pool locations in the Spring to survey, review, and submit documentation of biological and physical evidence of vernal pool habitats. During their investigations this year, they found evidence of vernal pool species supporting certification criteria which can add additional protection to these critical habitats.