We hit our maximum cap for attendees for this event, but you can still add yourself to the waitlist. Even if you aren’t able to reserve a spot this year, it’s helpful for us to know how many people are interested in this opportunity so we can better plan for next year! Click here to sign up for the waitlist.

Join Legacy Land Conservancy and River Raisin Watershed Council to learn about a magical, yet common wetland; vernal pools! Vernal pools are wetlands that are small and often seasonally-flooded, meaning they do not contain water all year round. They play a critical part in maintaining the health of our northern forest ecosystems, but they often get overlooked and little is known about them.

On April 18th from 10:00am-12:00pm at Johnson Preserve, we will be hosting a training on how to collect survey information for a vernal pool. This will include identifying vernal pool indicator species, soil, and habitat types. By joining us and gathering information on the distribution and status of vernal pools, you can become a part of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) state-wide citizen science program, the Michigan Vernal Pool Patrol (MVPP).

This is Legacy’s second year as a MVPP partner. Having been trained in surveying for vernal pools, we also continue to map and monitor them on our preserves. Volunteers trained at this event can also sign up to help Legacy monitor the vernal pools on our preserves.

The event is also open to families and people of all ages with a curiosity to look deeper into the biodiversity these unassuming pools contain.

Please dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Be prepared to get wet and muddy. Bring your muck boots or waders as we will be collecting water samples and looking at what we find under microscopes.

Meet in the red gazebo (Pavilion # 2) at the east end of the parking lot in Pittsfield Township’s Lillie Park South. From there, we will walk over to the Johnson Preserve.

All the spots for this event have been filled and registration is now closed, but you can add yourself to the waitlist. Questions? Call 734.302.5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org