As development projects in the area around Clover Hill High School progress, the Biology Club has been noticing drastic changes in our local ecosystem, and the population of wildlife on campus has been silently struggling.
One group that has been notably impacted by changes in environment on campus are salamanders, namely the marbled salamander and the spotted salamander. Salamanders are amphibians that rely on pools of water called vernal pools to reproduce. Because salamanders do not have copulatory organs, reproduction must happen externally in shallow pools of water that are capable of drying out and filling up with ease. Before the building of the Towns at Swift Creek, a vibrant forest featuring around ten vernal pools stood, however due to these homes being built, the forest has since downsized greatly and the vernal pools that were once present have been covered.
Biology Club officer Grace Morton has noted a change in the population of salamanders over the past few years, “Recently, I think it [salamander population] has gone down tremendously, I don’t think we’ve found a marbled salamander in the past one or two years… And not just marbled, you see it with all of them. But definitely I think the construction has made it so we don’t have as many on campus,” Morton said.
On their morning expeditions of the Clover Hill campus, the Biology Club has noted a great decrease in the number of salamanders. In an attempt to restore vernal pools, Dana Johnson, the sponsor of Biology Club, took students out on campus and dug new vernal pools a few years ago. However, a lack of both materials and time greatly hindered the endeavor and it was unsuccessful.
At the end of last year, the last existing vernal pool on Clover Hill High school’s campus was filled in. “We have no vernal pools on campus now,” Johnson said.
The Biology Club is now looking to address the issue with external assistance by partnering with a company that specializes in the building of vernal pools, Vernal Pools LLC.
“Now, Mrs. Johnson has a friend who created a company called Vernal Pools LLC, which, believe it or not, makes vernal pools, that’s like his whole thing! Which is very cool, but it’s very very expensive,” said Biology Club officer Clara Heath.
The quote that was given to the Biology Club to build vernal pools through Vernal Pools LLC was $5,000. In order to build vernal pools on campus, Environmental science teacher Michelle Huber has been working to receive grant money from organizations such as the Virginia Department of Conservation resources to fund the building of vernal pools on campus.
Morton believes that the best way to contribute is to reach out. She encourages students to express their interest in the endeavor.
“Just having more people behind it, coming to Bio Club and saying ‘I’m interested specifically in vernal pool stuff’ or coming to Mrs. Huber, I know she is with that too, she is one of the people behind it, so is Mrs. Johnson. Going and talking to either of them and seeing how you can help contribute is a pretty good way to contribute,” Morton said.
In order to protect our ecosystem, it is vital that students and staff take responsibility for their actions by ensuring that all trash ends up in a trash can.
“Pick up your trash, it is embarrassing how much trash, especially here on Clover Hill we have,” Morton said.
Being mindful of how you interact with nature is the best way to protect not only salamanders but all local wildlife.
“Be conscious of the decisions you’re making, the decisions you make and the way you live your life, it doesn’t impact just you, it impacts all of the people and all of the other organisms around you,” Heath said.
