Experiencing Vernal Pools=Respect for Wetlands

Funded May 2, 2021

We were super excited to receive our dipping nets. We had gone on one Vernal Pool adventure already this spring, so they were anxious to go again with their new nets. They were light, extended nicely, and had perfect netting material for collecting small, aquatic animals.

We were able to share this experience, and our new nets, with the 6th grade students, just as I had hoped. Once at the Vernal pool the students, who had dipped and observed a sample of Vernal Pool life just a few weeks earlier, saw changes in the type of animals present, as well as the growth of others.

The 6th Grade students were able to answer many of my Kindergartner's questions about these changes (Why aren't their any fairy shrimp? ), and came up with many of their own questions that I, their teacher, or my Guide to Vernal Pools were able to answer (Why are their more beetles vs. larvae? Why aren't we seeing caddisfly larvae?).

During a fall hike we returned to this site with the now First Grade class, and they were able to share with the current Kindergarten class what they would find in that area come spring.

I look forward to our yearly adventure at the Vernal Pool again this spring. The new nets will continue to make a huge difference each year. We now have a total 10 nice nets for dipping and collecting Vernal Pool species to share with all of the students at Mercer School.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Fitzgerald