1. The Monkton Amphibian Underpasses

2. Intensive monitoring at select locations
Collecting and dispersing data for informed conservation
Intensive monitoring at select locations
Education & outreach
Extensive survey state wide
Locate and map significant road-crossing areas

3. Mortality and injuries
Reptiles and amphibians are the vertebrate groups most sensitive to road mortality.
Mortality versus productivity. Small roads versus large roads, amount of traffic, speed of traffic, distance across, associated barriers, species productivity, life cycles

4. Why reptiles and amphibians?
This picture was taken by Chris Sleasar
Small size & slow speed

5. Chris Slesar’s picture, public awareness and support, big night
Annual movement

6. Long lives

7. Limited range

8. Impacts are on populations versus individuals
Common large mammals are a safety issue but usually not a local population issue. Common suburban animals are less of a safety issue, not usually a local population issue, but still an ethical and aesthetic issue. Rare mammals such as Key Deer and Florida Panther are a species survival issue. Common herps are almost always a local population issue and in some cases a species survival issue.
Impacts are on populations versus individuals

9. Significant Crossing Areas?
Where rare, threatened, or endangered species are crossing.
Where concentrations of common species are crossing.
Where a wide diversity of species are crossing.
If mortality is also high, the site then becomes a conservation priority.
Limited dollars, where to start

12. Significant?
Where rare, threatened, or endangered species are crossing.
Blue Spotted Salamander (S2, SGCN-Medium Priority)
367 Blue-spotted Salamanders in 2006
328 Blue-spotted Salamanders in 2008

13. Significant? Where concentrations of common species are crossing.
2,878 amphibian of nine species in 2009
Including:
533 Spotted Salamanders
509 Spring Peepers
184 Wood Frogs

14. Significant? Where a wide diversity of species are crossing.
Spotted Salamander
Blue-spotted Salamander
Eastern Newt
Four-toed Salamander
Red-backed Salamander
Wood Frog
Spring Peeper
Green Frog
Pickerel Frog
N. Leopard Frog
American Toad

15. Mortality and injuries
Priority?
Mortality and injuries
Highest mortality of the known significant sites
April 2006, estimates of more than 1000 mortalities in two nights
Compared to:
10 killed on 4 nights on Morgan Road in Salisbury
Mortality versus productivity. Small roads versus large roads, amount of traffic, speed of traffic, distance across, associated barriers, species productivity, life cycles

16. The Timeline 1993, site first discovered (The Vermont Herp Atlas)
1997, the Monkton Conservation Commission begins monitoring the site
2005, the Monkton Conservation Commission begins studying mitigation options
2008, the Monkton Conservation Commission and the Lewis Creek Association begin raising funds
2015, SD Ireland begins construction

21. The Monkton Underpass was funded by:
Defenders of Wildlife/TransWild Alliance - $9,000
Sally Laughlin’s Meeri Zetterstrom Award - $2,500
Davis Conservation Foundation - $5,000
Transportation Enhancement Grant - $150,000
VT F&W, State Wildlife Grant to town - $45,000
Lewis Creek Association, Direct Mail Fundraising - $67,676.69
Lewis Creek Association Indiegogo Fundraising - $42,780
Total design, construction, and oversight costs: $342,397.07

22. Between March 10 and May 3, 2016 we had 2,208 amphibian crossings in the two culverts. 

24. A Bonus of Popular Megafauna
Deer on railroad car

25. More Popular Megafauna
Deer on railroad car

26. Herptiles in Vermont will persist or disappear depending on our actions
Thanks Monkton !