“Guardians of the Night: Volunteers Protect Migrating Salamanders in California”
In coastal northern California, a heartwarming story unfolds as a group of dedicated volunteers takes on the role of crossing guards for tiny migrating salamanders. These volunteers spend every night from late fall through winter ensuring the safe passage of these amphibians across a rural road in Marin County’s Chileno Valley.
The Pacific newts, a type of salamander, embark on their annual migration from their forested hillside habitat to a nearby shallow lake for spawning. However, the road that separates these two areas poses a significant threat to the slow-moving newts, leading to many of them getting squashed by passing vehicles.
Sally Gale, a local rancher, was deeply moved by the sight of so many dead newts on the road and decided to take action. Together with a close friend, she founded the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade six years ago. This grassroots group, now consisting of about 80 volunteers, has successfully rescued over 22,000 Pacific newts and other nocturnal amphibians and reptiles.
Equipped with walkie talkies, high-powered flashlights, and reflective vests for safety, the brigade members patrol the migratory mile each night, ensuring that any newt attempting to cross the road is safely escorted to the other side. The rescues are documented and uploaded to the citizen science app iNaturalist, providing valuable data for research purposes.
Wildlife biologist Gary Buciarelli commends the brigade’s efforts, highlighting the remarkable regenerative abilities and long lifespan of newts. The data collected by the volunteers will contribute to a study on road modifications that could potentially provide safe migratory passage for the newts and other small creatures in the future.
Despite the challenges, the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade remains dedicated to their mission of safeguarding the lives of these tiny amphibians. Their commitment to conservation and community engagement serves as a shining example of grassroots environmental stewardship.