It's salamander season again at Viles Arboretum! As the ground warms and spring settles in, our Eastern Red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) are becoming active again! These small but mighty amphibians have been tucked away underground all winter, and now they're venturing closer to the surface. This spring, we'll host a series of hands-on volunteer events where you'll have the opportunity to search for salamanders, record their numbers and sizes, and help monitor the health of our forest.
Why salamanders? These tiny, secretive creatures play a big role in our ecosystem. Red-backed salamanders are what scientists call an indicator species - they can tell us a lot about the health of the forest, especially in areas where Eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) grow. Our observation site is just off the Hemlock Trail, in the damp, shady spots they like to call home. Checking under these boards and tracking what we find helps us gather valuable data over time.
Salamanders may be small, but they have a powerful impact. They're top predators on the forest floor, feeding on insects and other invertebrates that break down fallen leaves. By keeping those populations in balance, salamanders help maintain a thick, healthy layer of leaf litter. This layer acts like a blanket for the forest, helping to regulate soil temperature and moisture - conditions that are critical for hemlocks to survive and thrive. 
By protecting soil health and supporting a balanced forest floor ecosystem, salamanders also play an indirect role in the fight against the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae). This tiny, sap-sucking insect feeds on hemlock needles, weakening and eventually killing trees over time. Healthy soils and stable forest conditions can help trees better withstand the stress of adelgid infestations - so presence of the salamanders is part of a much larger story of forest resilience.
When you volunteer with us, you'll learn how to safely collect data in the field and gain a deeper appreciation for these remarkable amphibians. Most importantly, you'll be helping protect one of the Arboretum's most valuable ecosystems - from the ground up!
