Safe Skies Maryland and the Howard County Sierra Club is sponsoring at the seminar
The Magical, Vital Vernal Pools: Biodiversity in Our Backyards by Dr. Mark Southerland
at the Howard County Miller Library at 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 from 6:30-8:00 pm (program to start at 7:00 pm).
Description:
Vernal pools are depressions in the forest landscape that hold water only part of the year and therefore do not support fish. Without fish, vernal pools support species that can breed nowhere else–specifically wood frogs, spotted and other mole salamanders, and fairy shrimp. Many other plants and animals, such as spotted turtles, also use vernal pools. These unique ecosystems provide biodiversity at the human scale–maybe in your own backyard. You will learn about vernal pools, the threats they face, and actions governments and individuals can take to support local biodiversity.
Bio:
Dr. Southerland is a professional ecologist working as a consultant for EPA, USACE, Maryland DNR, MDE, Howard County and many other local governments since 1988. He previously chair of Howard County Environmental Sustainability Board and Maryland Water Monitoring Council, and continues to serve with Howard County Conservancy, Patapsco
Heritage Greenway, and Maryland Science Center.
