Volunteers Protect Salamanders During Spring Migration

Naturalists in Vermont work to safely guide amphibians across roads during their annual breeding season.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:34am

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A bold, abstract painting in muted greens, browns, and blues, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, intersecting waveforms, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex migration patterns and life cycles of amphibians.Volunteers safeguard the annual spring migration of amphibians, ensuring the survival of these vital wetland creatures.Burlington Today

In Vermont, volunteers known as 'crossing guards' are helping protect salamanders, newts, toads, and frogs as they migrate across roads to reach vernal pools for breeding season. The naturalists work to stop traffic, collect data on the animals' movements, and physically carry the amphibians to safety on the other side of the road to prevent them from being hit by vehicles.

Why it matters

The annual spring migration is a critical time for amphibian populations, as they must cross roads to reach their breeding grounds. Volunteer efforts to protect the animals during this vulnerable period help ensure the long-term survival of these species and maintain the ecological balance by controlling mosquito populations that the amphibians prey on.

The details

On rainy spring nights when the temperature is above 40 degrees, the amphibians 'wake up' and begin their mass migration to vernal pools, which are temporary, shallow wetlands that fill with rainwater. The crossing guards collect data on the numbers and species of animals they encounter, and physically carry the salamanders, newts, toads, and frogs across the road to safety using their wet hands as a 'cozy place' for the creatures to rest. While they are able to save many, some animals are unfortunately struck by vehicles.

  • The amphibian migration occurs annually during the first rainy spring nights when the temperature is above 40 degrees.
  • The crossing guard volunteers monitor the migration and assist the animals during these key migration periods.

The players

Ash Kirby-Miller

A naturalist who works with the crossing guard volunteers to protect the migrating amphibians.

Ana Maria Arroyo

A 'herper' or enthusiast of reptiles and amphibians who participates in the crossing guard efforts.

North Branch Nature Center

An organization in Vermont that coordinates the amphibian crossing guard program and provides information to the public on how to get involved.

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What they’re saying

“When they get that wake up call, they're crossing these roads to get into the vernal pools where they will all have frog and salamander parties and do all of the reproduction for the year.”

— Ash Kirby-Miller, Naturalist

“I call it feeling zoomy, where it's a feeling of just seeing something that's just so wonderful and magical that you don't know what to do with yourself. It just makes me feel really lucky to be outside, to get to see that and to know that these creatures are just out there.”

— Ana Maria Arroyo, Herper

What’s next

The crossing guard volunteers will continue to monitor and assist the amphibian migration during the upcoming spring seasons, collecting valuable data to help inform environmental studies and protect these vulnerable species.

The takeaway

The efforts of the volunteer crossing guards in Vermont demonstrate how community-driven conservation initiatives can make a real difference in protecting local wildlife and maintaining ecological balance, even in the face of the challenges posed by human infrastructure like roads.