Protecting migrating amphibians in Tompkins County
Each spring, thousands of frogs and salamanders in Tompkins County go on a treacherous and often deadly journey as they migrate from their winter habitats to breeding wetlands, crossing busy roads along the way. Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol (TCAMP) coordinates hundreds of volunteers every year to document amphibian migration and work with public and private stakeholders to support science-based conservation and habitat management efforts.
Molly Womack, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is partnering with TCAMP to combine classroom learning in her herpetology lecture and lab course BIOEE 4700/1 with hands-on conservation work. The course’s 30 students will study amphibian biodiversity, life histories and environmental threats while helping TCAMP analyze two years of local migration data to better understand amphibian diversity and the factors influencing migration survival. Their findings will help guide conservation planning and habitat management decisions in Tompkins County. Students will also have opportunities to support the development of an amphibian underpass designed to help animals safely cross one local roadway. By helping students build practical conservation skills, the project aims to empower them to address biodiversity challenges in their own communities.
Molly Womack, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Arts & Sciences
Community Partner: Tompkins County Amphibian Migration Patrol