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Critter Count set for April 10, not tomorrow

The Columbian
Published: April 2, 2010, 12:00am

Frogs are singing, snakes are unwinding, and citizen scientists will be out counting the critters again Saturday, April 10, at the 10th annual Critter Count. A press release, used to provide the information for a brief that ran today, gave the wrong day.

The Water Resources Education Center invites local residents to join in the count, which begins with a brief training session at 9 a.m. at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, the city said in a press release Thursday.

Local wildlife biologist and co-author of a regional amphibian field guide, Char Corkran, will provide a quick overview of the identification of frogs, snakes, salamanders, lizards and other local amphibians and reptiles. Then, citizen scientists will choose one of four sites — Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Columbia Springs, Washington State University Vancouver or the Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education in Brush Prairie — where they will spend the next two hours collecting data.

A wildlife expert and a site coordinator will be on hand at each site to help with the search and critter identification.

Participants in this cold-blooded adventure should bring boots, warm clothes, a lunch and, if possible, binoculars. Training, field guide assistance, equipment, snacks and water will be provided. All ages are welcome to participate, but children must be accompanied throughout the count by adults. At least one adult chaperone is required for every three kids in grades three through eight. For younger ages, please have at least one adult chaperone per child.

A Second Saturday event will also be held April 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and is dedicated to frogs, newts and snakes. Parents and children will explore the dry and wet worlds of amphibians and snakes and learn about the benefits these creatures provide.

Frogs and other amphibians are extremely sensitive to changing environmental conditions and reduced habitats. Keeping track of the numbers provides a better understanding of the conditions they are facing. Data gathered during Critter Count will be sent to a statewide wildlife database to help with this effort. For additional information, please call 360-487-7111 or visit www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter.

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