SHORE program offers salamander thrills at HCT’s Pleasant Bay Woodlands

When the power of community and inclusivity combine with the wonder of nature, the results are as beautiful as a meadow awakening in spring.

That was the splendid scene at the Harwich Conservation Trust’s (HCT) Pleasant Bay Woodlands last week, where naturalist Andrea Higgins led a group of students from the Monomoy Regional School District’s SHORE program on a fascinating hike that included lessons on plants and animals, topped off by a thrilling encounter with salamander egg masses.

The SHORE program (Students Have Opportunities for Recreation and Employment) is for young adults ages 18-22, who face challenges with autism and intellectual disabilities. It provides students with vocational and transitional services with an emphasis on employment training and life skills.

“It’s like their college years,” said SHORE teacher Shana Grogan.

Sponsored by HCT, Higgins leads the SHORE students on adventures of curiosity and discovery exploring local conservation lands. And the students teach Higgins as well. “”These young adults are so kind and so patient and so gentle,” she said. “I have learned so much from them.”

To keep HCT family programs free for youngsters this year, a generous HCT donor provided a $15,000 challenge if it could be matched by another $15,000 from other donors.

So far, $9,000 in matching funds have been raised. HCT hopes that the community will rally to pitch in the remaining $6,000 to keep these important educational experiences available to families regardless of income.

The thrill of spring in the natural world

The students were all smiles as they greeted Higgins at the head of the trail, old friends coming together for another adventure. “We’re going to talk about spring here at the amazing Pleasant Bay Woodlands,” said Higgins. “As we walk along, we’ll pause and take a breath and be aware of all the beauty that surrounds us. We’re surrounded by so many gifts. Mother Nature is just waiting for us to notice.”

Higgins asked the students what kind of animals might live in the nearly 50 rolling acres of the Woodlands. A spirited discussion ensued, with agreement on deer, birds, ticks, squirrels, raccoons and skunks. One student tossed bears into the mix, and Higgins touched on the peculiar tale of the Cape Cod Bear that roamed the peninsula in 2012.

Spring was humming on this lovely afternoon, so Higgins talked about the stunning white flowers on a shadbush, the buds on the trees and the glorious shades of green on the plants. Astute students noticed pesky poison ivy leaves unfurling and the cheerful bright yellow of dandelions in bloom.

A gooey lesson about salamanders

The trail at Pleasant Bay Woodlands borders a cranberry bog, a perfect spot for the day’s in-depth lesson. While frogs croaked. Higgins dipped a net into a watery ditch. Out came incredible blobs that looked like Jell-O studded with little green olives. “This is a yellow-spotted salamander egg mass,” said Higgins.

Everyone was blown away, including students, teachers and a somewhat skittish HCT communications guy. Higgins explained that the green orbs in the mass were salamander eggs and pointed out several larvae, teeny mini-salamanders that had come from eggs. The larvae have gills, but eventually develop lungs and move to land. These tiny wigglers can grow up to be four to nine inches long!

The brave, curious students held out their hands. Higgins plopped a generous serving of gelatinous egg mass onto their palms. Laughter, wonder and the spectacular design of nature held us all together. Eventually, students noticed that the reluctant HCT guy hadn’t held the egg mass, but their kind encouragement resulted in a handful of wondrous goo for your loyal scribe.

We became a team by the side of the bog. Higgins was our captain and we had met the challenge of salamander goop. The students will learn more about salamanders and work on a related art project when she visits them in the classroom during their next get-together.

The merry band joked and chatted on the way back to the trail head. It had been quite a voyage of discovery and we all had incredible tales to tell at the dinner table. First, of course, we would wash our hands.

—Your tax-deductible contribution can help keep HCT family programs free for youngsters this year. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations where folks of all ages can learn about the natural world. Find out how to donate by clicking here. 

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