Each year in Cumberland, Maine, volunteers come together to help protect migrating amphibians during a phenomenon known as Big Night. This event occurs when amphibians, such as salamanders and frogs, migrate en masse from the woods to temporary bodies of water to mate and lay eggs. Due to a road intersecting their migration route, volunteers gather to guide the amphibians safely across the road to their breeding grounds.
The Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust (CCLT) organizes this event and has been collecting data at the site for the past five years as part of Maine Big Night, a community science project. Citizen scientists track weather conditions, amphibian numbers, and the impact of roads on amphibian populations to develop solutions to reduce fatalities during migration.
Amphibians play a critical role in the ecosystem as insect eaters and a food source for other wildlife. As populations decline due to habitat loss, pollution, and road mortality, efforts to protect them during their migration become increasingly important. By assisting these creatures in reaching their breeding pools safely, volunteers hope to help them persist over time.
The Big Night event is not only a serious conservation effort but also a joyful and educational community event. Families come together to witness this natural spectacle and mark the coming of spring. Participants, young and old, are enthralled by the experience of guiding these tiny creatures to safety.
For more information about CCLT’s Big Night event, visit ccltmaine.org/bignight. To learn more about the statewide Maine Big Night project and how to get involved, visit mainebignight.org. Community members are encouraged to check with local land trusts and conservation organizations for educational events in their area.
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