This summer, GCC faculty affiliate Dr. Jen Moss embarked on an exciting new venture to bring the world of salamanders to young learners through a collaboration with SEEDS Field Camp. Partnering with Dr. Mike Rosenzweig, Director of SEEDs-Blacksburg Nature Center, Dr. Moss and her team engaged campers in hands-on science and education activities.

Dr. Moss’s lab, newly established this spring, has been working diligently on monitoring salamander coverboard plots as part of SPARCnet (Salamander Population Monitoring and Research Collaborative Network). This initiative aims to track salamander populations and their responses to climate change over time.

“When I heard about Mike’s fantastic work with the Nature Center I reached out straight away to figure out how we could collaborate,” Dr. Moss said. “We both agreed that in addition to being an invaluable research tool, the plots also provide a wonderfully accessible and hands-on tool for outreach and education.”

Throughout the summer, Dr. Moss and her team—Kevin Moore, Brittany Winter, Rheanna Young, and Bella Badon—joined campers from ages 8 to 14 in various woodlots around Blacksburg. The goal was to show the campers how real scientific data is gathered through activities such as log flipping and data recording.

Campers participate in various data-gathering activities
Campers participated in several hands-on data collection activities.

Though the unusually hot and dry weather made salamander sightings scarce, the team creatively adapted their activities. They planted “gummy salamanders” under boards, allowing campers to practice measuring and identifying these mock creatures. The excitement continued as campers explored the world of invertebrates like spiders and millipedes, and examined real salamander “ambassadors” that represented different species and morphs.

The camp also offered a unique lesson in the complexities of climate change. As the campers learned about the challenges salamanders face, they understood that sometimes the absence of expected data is itself a valuable piece of information.

Looking ahead, Dr. Moss and her team are eager to build on this year’s success. Plans are already underway to move future surveys to higher elevation plots where cooler temperatures may better support salamander activity, even during hot spells and droughts. This adjustment will offer an additional layer of learning about how climate change impacts different environments.

The collaboration with SEEDS Field Camp marked a memorable and educational summer for all involved. With 2024 being the 29th year of the SEEDS Field Camp, Dr. Moss and her lab are excited to continue their efforts and look forward to more salamander adventures next year.