Minute Man National Historic Park is undergoing an exciting project in partnership with UMass Boston researchers to complete an amphibian and reptile survey of the park! This is a follow-up to a prior inventory conducted in the early 2000s, focusing on much of the same study areas near the park’s wetlands.
Researchers are using multiple methods to survey, including timed surveys, acoustic monitors, and coverboards. Coverboards are sections of plywood or other material that cold-blooded animals can hide under to help regulate their body temperature. Please don’t disturb the equipment if you find it in the park! We hope to learn about baseline populations and understand how they may have changed since the previous survey was conducted.
You can help us with this survey by recording observations of any reptiles or amphibians in the park using the iNaturalist platform. Just remember to keep your distance when viewing wildlife!
Image above left to right, clockwise: A metal coverboard, spring peeper frog, wooden coverboard, and a garter snake at Minute Man National Historical Park. NPS photos.
Written by Michelle Lord, Biological Technician at Minute Man National Historical Park.
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