Chileno Valley Newt Project

04/11/2024

— Chileno Valley Newt Brigade Seeks Volunteers for 2024-2025 Newt Migration Season —

Help save the Newts!

The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade is a group of volunteers dedicated to assisting California Newts (genus Taricha) in safely crossing Chileno Valley Road as they make their annual migration from the Chileno Valley hills to Laguna Lake, where they breed. From October through March these slow-moving creatures are vulnerable and thousands get run over by cars. Volunteers work 2-hour shifts scouring a stretch of the road at night for the migrating amphibians. They pick up the newts and move them across the road to safety.

During the 2023-2024 season, CVNB saved 15,195 newts, while another 4,863 didn’t make it. Using the iNaturalist app, teams collect data to better understand migration patterns and to protect and enhance amphibian biodiversity.

Our long-term goal is to create a science-based built solution to safely assist the newts in migrating to and from their breeding lake.

To register for an orientation and training session, contact:

Sally Gale ([email protected])
www.chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org
�Instagram: “chilenovalleynewtbrigade”

22/04/2024

How wildlife crossings protect both animals and people
To protect the movement of wildlife impeded by busy roadways, a series of manmade overpasses and underpasses throughout the United States helps animals big and small safely get across the street, preventing collisions and saving lives. About 1,500 of these structures already have been built. Correspondent Conor Knighton looks at how they have protected genetic diversity in animal populations while also greatly reducing roadkill. He also visits the site of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Los Angeles, which when complete will help cougars cross one of the busiest highways in the country.

To protect the movement of wildlife impeded by busy roadways, a series of manmade overpasses and underpasses throughout the United States helps animals big and small safely get across the street, preventing collisions and saving lives. About 1,500 of these structures already have been built. Corresp...

19/03/2024

https://www.bainbridgereview.com/life/newt-crossing-guards-help-bi-amphibians-survive/

The life cycle of salmon is the heartbeat of the Pacific Northwest, but it’s not the only watery animal that undergoes an incredible journey and massive transformation.

16/03/2024

https://www.marinij.com/2024/03/15/west-marin-group-acts-as-crossing-guard-to-protect-imperiled-amphibian/

The nonprofit is a group of about 80 volunteers who walk a one-mile stretch in teams along Chileno Valley Road every night from October through March, which is the newts’ migration season.

05/10/2023

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes federal protections for both species of western pond turtle under the Endangered Species Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2023 Media Contact: Ashley McConnell, [email protected] Photos for media: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAvF4A

07/09/2023

California Biodiversity Day is September 7th, and we are celebrating all week from September 2nd – 10th! Explore nature in your local neighborhoods and parks or join one of the over 100 in-person and virtual CA Biodiversity events. See below for event information and check out this map to find an event near you!

An easy way to celebrate is to get outside and contribute to our collective knowledge about California’s biodiversity through the nature-mapping platform, iNaturalist. Nature-mapping contributes to California’s 30x30 initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of California lands and coastal waters by 2030 through collaborative action.

California Biodiversity Day is September 7th, and we are celebrating all week from September 2nd – 10th! Explore nature in your local neighborhoods and parks or join one of the over 100 in-person and virtual CA Biodiversity events. See below for event information and check out this map to find an ...

11/07/2023

Meet the "Middletown Turtle Brigade"!

"We’re always looking at our feet because we don’t want to step on them,” said Jennifer Malon, assistant manager at Best Cleaners in Middletown, Conn.

24/05/2023

Chileno Valley Newt Brigade awarded grant to make Chileno Valley Road safer for newt migration

Press Release (May 2023)
For immediate release. For further information, please contact Sally Gale at 707-772-7774

The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade has been awarded a grant of $77,876 by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to study ways to reduce the mortality of newts and other amphibians and reptiles on Chileno Valley Road near Laguna Lake in northern Marin County. The newts are often killed by traffic while crossing the road to reach the lake during their four-month spawning season.

The grant will allow the Newt Brigade to hire Dokken Engineering to study ways to modify the road to allow newts and other animals to survive while migrating to and from Laguna Lake for breeding purposes. United States Geological Survey biologists will assist Dokken in this study.

The Newt Brigade was formed by Chileno Valley ranchers Sally and Mike Gale when they discovered the newts were being run over on rainy nights. Over the past four years, more than 70 people have volunteered to move the newts and other animals off the road on rainy nights. Over 10,000 newts have been rescued in this way, although many are still killed.

The study will be carried out over the next 12 months, and will consider such road modifications as tunnels under the road, raising sections of the road, and other alternatives. Once the study is completed, and an optimal solution is developed, further funding will be sought to implement it. The study is being done in full cooperation with the Marin County Department of Public Works, with the encouragement of Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who represents the area.

Since implementing a solution to this problem will take at least a few years, volunteers who are interested in helping move the newts on rainy nights are encouraged to sign up at the Newt Brigade website: www.chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org.

https://www.chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org/press

Chileno Valley Newt Brigade– In the Press – Index2023Press Release, May 2023  |  Chileno Valley Newt Brigade awarded grant to make Chileno Valley Road safer for newt migrationNorth Bay biz, April 26, 2023 | Caution: Newt X-ing by Bo KearnsKRCB, February 14, 2023 | Newts find helping hands in t...

27/04/2023

https://www.northbaybiz.com/2023/04/26/caution-newt-x-ing/

Caution: Newt X-ing

Q: Why did the salamander cross the road?
A: Because the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade helped them!

In a world where many species are rapidly going extinct, amphibians are at the greatest risk.

Their moist, permeable skin makes them particularly susceptible to drought and toxins. They are an “indicator species,” providing valuable insight into changes in an ecosystem. California newts (Tarichoa torosa) are endemic to the state, yet their numbers are dwindling. Populations in southern California have suffered declines due to loss of habitat and from the introduction of predatory fish, crayfish and bullfrogs, which eat the larvae and eggs. Ponds have been eradicated for development, and streams destroyed by sedimentation resulting from wildfires. In San Diego County, the California newt has gone extinct.

In northwest Marin County, however, they face a particularly unique challenge...
https://www.northbaybiz.com/2023/04/20/caution-newt-x-ing/

In a world where many species are rapidly going extinct, amphibians are at the greatest risk. Their moist, permeable skin makes them particularly susceptible to drought and toxins. They are an “indicator species,” providing valuable insight into

18/04/2023

Biodiversity in California:

The Good News: California has the largest variety of plants and animals of any state, including about 6,500 types of plants alone, roughly 40 percent of which are found only within its borders.

The Bad News: California has the most imperiled biodiversity of any state in the contiguous United States, with more than 30 percent of its species threatened with extinction.

We hope the work of the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade will not only help scientists better understand California’s biodiversity, but would also inspire people to pay attention to the plants and animals living in their backyards — and to care about their conservation.

“In the places that you know and you live, if you do take the time to really notice the things around you, you really do develop those personal ties to smaller things. I think we can form those connections.” (Alison Young, Director, Center for Biodiversity and Community Science at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco)

The Golden State is home to about 6,500 types of plants, roughly 40 percent of which are found only within its borders.

05/04/2023

Why Tiny Ponds and Singing Frogs Matter So Much
by Margaret Renkl.

This wonderful article discusses the importance of seasonal ponds (aka "ephemeral ponds" or "vernal pools") to the existence of many amphibian populations.

"Because vernal pools are not fed by creeks or streams, they dry up in the heat of summer and therefore cannot support fish, which feed on amphibian eggs and larvae. This absence of fish, along with the pond’s abundant insect and crustacean life and the manifold hiding places in a body of water dense with sticks and rotting leaves, makes an ephemeral pond the ideal nursery for tadpoles and larval salamanders."

Our little Laguna Lake in Chileno Valley plays this critical role for the California Newts and Rough-skinned Newts that come there to breed each year. This article is a must-read for anyone wanting to put into perspective the challenges faced by our Chileno Valley amphibians.

When we work to preserve frogs and salamanders — when we work to preserve any species — we are working to preserve life on earth as we know it.

04/03/2023

Wildlife crossings work!
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Bobcat spotted using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens.
-- Just hours after a dozen cameras were installed along the Highway 17 wildlife crossing, video footage captured a bobcat using the pathway to safely pass under the roadway.

Just hours after a dozen cameras were installed along the Highway 17 wildlife crossing, video footage captured a bobcat using the pathway to safely pass under the roadway.

09/02/2023

Yes! Our newts made national news .....
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"Volunteer newt-saving operation grabs the attention of the New York Times!
.. At the time this item was written up, nearly 100 comments had been left on the New York Times’ website, almost universally praising Gale and the Brigade for their efforts. For information on joining the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade, or contributing to its efforts, visit ChilenoValleyNewtBrigade.org."
https://www.petaluma360.com/article/entertainment/petaluma-newts-make-national-news/

Volunteer newt-saving operation grabs the attention of the New York Times

07/02/2023

Newt and Salamander Weather
-- They Need Your Help

How can you help our area’s rich newt and salamander diversity? If you live in the country, the first best thing you can do is to not drive at night during the first 3 storms of the winter. You can see the weather forecast…get your groceries early and cancel your evening appointments. Then convince your neighbors and friends to do the same…figure out a way to remember this next rainy season! This past year, the migration was narrowly restricted to the early December storms in our area. Since then, there have been very much fewer newts and salamanders on the roads ..... let’s restore more native plants to our landscape- the newts and salamanders all eat bugs and there are more bugs emanating from diverse, native ecosystems.

We live in a very rich area for salamanders and newts. And, when it starts raining, everywhere becomes newt and salamander habitat. The Menagerie Right nearby, if you went searching, you could find…

24/01/2023

The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade's ongoing efforts are highlighted in a new article appearing in the New York Times:

"A ‘Big Night’ for Newts, and for a California Newt Brigade
Salamanders get a little help across the road from some two-legged friends in Northern California."

Salamanders get a little help across the road from some two-legged friends in Northern California.

22/01/2023

Excellent article about the challenges faced by California newts in a period of historic drought and habitat destruction. Our group is mentioned towards the end of the article:

"Despite all they’re up against, it’s not too late for newts ... Some environmental groups have mobilized to help newts around the world, including in California. In the hills north of San Francisco, volunteers with the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade spend winter nights picking up the amphibians as they make their way to or from their breeding sites, carrying them across roads to protect them from cars."

Droughts, wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather events are putting an unprecedented strain on California newts. With help, scientists think these remarkable animals will be able to persevere.

18/01/2023

An important message from a local 4th grade class. Please watch your step, and give newts the right of way on roads and trails Newts depend on you!

27/09/2022

Newt Brigade stands by as winter approaches
https://www.petaluma360.com/article/entertainment/newt-brigade-stands-by-as-winter-approaches/

Crossing Guards wanted as endangered local amphibians prepare to party