Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team Inc.

Goal A - To minimize the effects of habitat loss, and the loss of vernal ponds.

Goal B - To enhance community awareness of vernal ponds and the threats that put vernal ponds at risk.

Goal C - To ascertain the health of animal species and directly protect wildlife habitat, in-turn reducing species loss.

Goal D - To increase the public's appreciation and enjoyment of nature and reduce the misconceptions of nature.

Goal E - Recruit and train volunteers to become passionate teachers and stewards of the environment.

Goal F - Create a physical location for operations to make our organization accessible to more people for the purpose of education, conservation, and to experience the natural world together.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, E - Survey vernal pools by photographing the pools and obligate species that inhabit them. Data is submitted to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program to certify the pool so it gains some protection under the Wetlands Protection Act. We also provide certification training to individuals and organizations so they can certify pools in their communities.

Strategy for Goals B, D, E - Bring our vernal pond and snake exhibits to community and special events to educate and enlighten visitors and participants about the many species of wildlife that live, breed, and depend upon vernal ponds for survival. Participants see creatures alive and up close, many of which they’ve never seen or heard of before. Visitors get hands on opportunities to touch and hold many snake species.

Strategy for Goals A, B, D, E - Bring vernal pond and snake presentations to community venues to educate and expose participants to the many unique species of wildlife that live, breed, and depend upon vernal ponds for survival. Students observe these living creatures up close and they have the opportunity to touch and hold many of the snakes.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E - Provide daytime and nighttime vernal pond field trips to members and the public. Participants learn about and explore these vital vernal pond habitats during the peak amphibian breeding season. They observe migrating and breeding animals during these interactive field trips. This discovery and exploration allows participants to experience the inextricable link woodland creatures have to these pools.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E - Provide conservation work in order to understand the health of animal species and protect wildlife habitat. We accomplish this in a variety of ways including turtle surveys for habitat protection, vernal pond certifications, and wildlife relocation.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E - Recruit volunteer youth and adults to become involved in our organization assisting with activities such as fundraising, educational programs, events and conservation work. Volunteers have told us they see and feel the value and impact of their contribution.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E, F - Provide a state of the art website connecting our team and the community and allowing us to coordinate our activities. We stay in touch with our membership, donors, volunteers, sponsors, and organizations who request our programming. Our website is a free online educational tool available to everyone.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E, F -
(Short-term strategy) Develop the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team meeting space called "The Shop" which will offer a storefront location for members and the community to gather. It will also be a home-base for managing the organization as well as for fundraising.
(Long-term strategy) Open a wildlife center on Cape Ann for expanded and enhanced community programming.

Describing our Capacity -

Overarching all of our goals listed above are the relationships built with other organizations. These relationships add value to every aspect of our organization. Collaborators include Mass Wildlife, New England Herpetological Society, Vernal Pool Association, New England Wildlife Center, The Trustees of Reservations, Essex County Greenbelt, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass Audubon, Parker River, Maritime Gloucester, Kestrel Education Adventures, Cape Ann Trail Stewards, and a myriad of schools and community organizations. We in turn enhance the programs of other conservation organizations. By partnering with other community organizations, schools, and agencies, we share a common ground for our learning platform. These relationships allow us to reach many people in different walks of life beyond our local community.

In addition to our critically important collaborators, we have highly experienced and knowledgable educators. These professionals have decades of experience training and informing the exceptional work they do. The numerous dedicated volunteers and board members provide the foundation of Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team. We have management skills and nonprofit experience to provide the leadership needed to move our organization forward. The City of Gloucester is supportive of the work we do, and we have strong community participation on Cape Ann. We have an albeit small but consistent budget where we maximize our donations through the use of many volunteers and other committed partners. We currently have planning money to be used for the development of a strategic and fundraising plan.

Our reach feels limitless in the way our team comes together and successfully provides these awe-inspiring experiences in nature.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, E - Our organization surveys vernal ponds by photographing the ponds and obligate species that inhabit them.
Progress - We have completed over 300 vernal pond surveys resulting in an equal number of certifications on both public and private land. Annually we complete approximately ten surveys, resulting in protection of these vernal ponds and their surrounding habitat on Cape Ann and the North Shore. This is our way of saving critical wildlife habitat in our corner of the world.

Strategy for Goals B, D, E - Bring our vernal pond and snake exhibits to community and special events to educate and enlighten visitors and participants about the many species of wildlife that live, breed, and depend upon vernal ponds for survival.
Progress - We exhibited to more than 10,000 community members last year.

Strategy for Goals A, B, D, E - Bring vernal pond and snake presentations to community venues.
Progress - We presented to more than 1,000 community members last year.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E - Provide daytime and nighttime vernal pond field trips to members and the public.
Progress - We guided approximately 300 community members last year.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E - Provide conservation work in order to ascertain the health of animal species and/or directly protect wildlife and habitat.
Progress - Approximately 400 community members, students, and volunteers participated in conservation projects last year.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E - Recruit volunteer youth and adults to become involved in our organization assisting with activities such as fundraising, educational programs, events and conservation work.
Progress - We recruited, trained and engaged approximately 30 new volunteers last year. We completed enhanced volunteer training for nearly 70 current volunteers.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E, F - Provide a state of the art website connecting our team and the community and allowing us to coordinate our activities.
Progress - Since our website redesign we have more than 1400 contacts which is our base for emailing, E-blasts, and snail mail. The education tool aspect of the website was significantly expanded. Additionally, the website can enroll members, receive donations, and sell products while logging and totaling those financial inputs. Our website allows us to organize and connect with our Team, which includes volunteers, participants, donors and venues.

Strategy for Goals A, B, C, D, E, F -
(Short-term strategy) Develop the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team meeting space called "The Shop" which will offer a storefront location for members and the community to gather.
Progress - The Shop gathering place renewal plan is complete and we are working on funding sources.
(Long-term strategy) Open a wildlife center on Cape Ann for expanded and enhanced community programming.
Progress - A business plan for the wildlife center is targeted to be completed by the end of 2024.