Princeton volunteers close roads, collect data to save spotted salamanders

Members of the Princeton Salamander Crossing Brigade described to the Mayor and Council on April 16 a volunteer effort to protect spotted salamanders as they migrate to vernal pools to breed.

The group’s founder, Inga Reagan, introduced herself as representing Friends of Herontown Woods and said the brigade includes students, teachers and university professors. She described the salamander population as a “keystone species” and said volunteers both help animals cross roads and collect data for the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We have crossing guard waivers as well as informational assessments before they go to actually help with the crossings to make sure everyone's adequately prepared,” Reagan said.

The presentation emphasized that salamanders must reach the vernal pools where they were hatched and that road crossings are a major mortality factor. A Princeton High School student presenter said that when roads were closed for crossings this year volunteers saved 119 amphibians and had zero fatalities, whereas on an open night volunteers reported saving 49 and suffering 40 deaths. The student characterized those numbers as data points from this year alone.

Lisa Belanger, a Princeton professor who said she runs crossings near Herontown Boulevard, said the animals are “fossorials” that live underground most of the year and come above ground only to reach the pools. She described the species as “obligate vernal pool breeders” that return to the pools where they were hatched.

Council members thanked the students and volunteers and asked operational questions. A council member asked how many nights the town closed roads for crossings; presenters said closures usually occur no more than five or six nights between February and April and that closures enable safer crossings and better data collection. Presenters also said that on nights with heavy regional rain the traffic that diverts from other roads can increase risk at the most critical times.

Councilmember David Cohen, who identified himself in discussion as a volunteer crossing guard, said he supports strengthening the town’s partnership with the brigade and noted recent municipal land conservation that benefits vernal-pool habitat. Several council members said they hoped to expand coordination between the town and the brigade for training, road closures and data sharing.

The presentation closed with the brigade asking the council to continue supporting closures when appropriate and to help publicize volunteer opportunities and training.

The council took no formal binding action during the presentation; the remarks were presented under the agenda item “Salamander Brigade Report.”