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An evening Zoom presentation to members of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance. Register here.

A vernal pool is a form of temporary, freshwater wetland that contains water for a portion of the year. A vernal pool can support a fantastic array of wildlife and plants, some specially adapted for these habitats and rare in Virginia. Vernal pools often are overlooked or considered insignificant as wetlands because of their small size. As a result, they are often filled in, drained, logged over, or polluted, making them a rare form of wildlife habitat around the country and in Virginia. 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 studying, educating, and advising on these freshwater wetlands, he is 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.