New Germany State Park Hosts Amphibian and Reptile Scavenger Hunt

Count helps save and protect these species

Grantsville, Md. (August 16, 2012) ─  As part of an effort to save and protect amphibians and reptiles, volunteers are invited to help find and count these animals on August 26 New Germany State Park. Participants will enjoy an afternoon of outdoor adventure while contributing to the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas monitoring and tracking project.

“The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas is like a citizen science project,” said Seasonal Ranger Jim Riley of New Germany State Park. “This activity allows participants to cut-loose and explore the outdoors, while also contributing to an important environmental study.”

Participants will join park rangers in search of reptiles and amphibians within a designated area of New Germany State Park. Species found during the activity will be properly identified and recorded for the Atlas.

The Atlas is a five-year effort to document the distribution of all species of reptiles and amphibians in the State and establish a baseline, a joint project of the Natural History Society of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The effort began in January 2010 and will continue statewide through December 2014.

The information gained through this volunteer effort will be used to promote the conservation and protection of more than 90 species of frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, lizards and snakes that inhabit Maryland.

“Understanding the current distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles within the state is essential to create effective conservation strategies,” said Riley.

The scavenger hunt will begin at 1 p.m. at the New Germany Lake House. The activity is limited to adults and children ages 8 and up. All participants must have footwear appropriate for walking through the woods. More information is available by calling the Ranger Station at 301-895-5453 or emailing jrriley@dnr.state.md.us.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov