Meetings begin with various business items of discussion such as recent bird sightings, news items or announcements, field trip reports or announcements, and committee updates. This will be followed by a featured Program by a guest speaker. Today’s Program will be: Wild Life of the Vernal Pool Wetlands presented by Michael S. Hayslett, M.S., Principal Consultant of Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC. Prior to the meeting, at 5:15pm, we will take Mike to dinner at Little Maria’s Pizza & Subs (1555 Commerce Rd, Verona, VA 24482). If you are interested in joining us for dinner, email Vic Laubach ([email protected]) by noon, Feb. 10.
A vernal pool is a form of temporary, freshwater wetland that contains water for a portion of the year and supports a fantastic array of wildlife and plants, some specially adapted for these habitats and many being rare species in Virginia. Vernal pools have become a rare form of wildlife habitat around the country and especially in Virginia due to their destruction (being filled in, drained, logged over, or polluted). They have often been overlooked and considered insignificant due to their small size as wetlands. Conservation efforts for these habitats are desperately needed. Join this talk with Michael Hayslett and learn about these unique ecosystems and the wildlife that depend on them.
Michael Hayslett is an ecologist and owner of Virginia Vernal Pools LLC. With over 30 years of traveling the state educating, studying pools, and advising on these freshwater wetlands, he became known as “Virginia’s leading vernal pools expert.” He promotes conservation of these unique habitats, and helps communities and landowners better understand, appreciate and manage their vernal pool wetlands and related wildlife.