Vancouver water center to host its annual Critter Count

Guests are invited to join the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center’s annual Critter Count field surveys and reptile show April 13.

The Critter Count, from 9 a.m. to noon, starts with a brief training session from a wildlife biologist from the Northwest Ecological Research Institute, with an overview on identifying local frogs, snakes, salamanders, lizards, and other amphibians and reptiles.

Then, counters will venture out to one of four sites to find and document amphibians and reptiles in their habitats, with an expert and site coordinator on hand to help.

Because amphibians are sensitive to water quality and changing environmental conditions, keeping a tally of their numbers helps officials understand what challenges they face. Data gathered from the count will be made available to natural resource management agencies.

Participants will have to provide their own transportation to field sites, and organizers recommend bringing boots, warm clothes, a lunch and binoculars. Field guidebooks, some equipment and snacks will be provided.

All ages are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Activities continue that afternoon with close-up visits with live snakes, lizards and other reptiles with two animal shows at 1 and 2 p.m.

Both events are free. Call 360-487-7111, or go to the water center’s website, cityofvancouver.us/watercenter, to learn more. The water center’s address is 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver.