The Northern Neck Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists and Belle Isle State Park will be hosting a Walk on the Wild Side from 9-10 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at Belle Isle State Park, 1632 Belle Isle Road, Lancaster. Hikers will meet at the Camp Store.
The theme will be “The Fauna and Value of Temporary Wetlands.” Pre-registration is requested, 462-5030.
Temporary wetlands, also called vernal pools, are areas where water collects in the winter and early spring and usually dry up by late spring but always by summer, said Kevin Howe, Virginia Master Naturalist and retired ecologist.
“These pools are devoid of fish but are often a wonderland full of the larval stage of invertebrate animals along with some adult invertebrates and vertebrate larvae as well,” said Howe.
“While many of the invertebrates are too small to see with the naked eye, they feed all the vertebrates living in the wetland. These pools are the birthplace and nursery for nearly all frogs and salamanders….
