PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, May 5 at 6 PM, Tom Tyning will give a presentation on the amphibians and other organisms that use small mountain streams — the source of every lake, pond, stream, and brook. 

 

Rich in oxygen and with temperatures that remain chilled throughout summer, these First- and Second-order streams make up an ecological community that is fairly unique on our landscape. Tyning will go into the importance of these headwater streams and how the species that rely on them for survival are at risk due to a lack of conservation. 

 

He will speak for 30-45 minutes, then a discussion and Q&A period will take place. This event will be held on Zoom and conclude around 7 PM. 

 

Tyning has been a Professor of Environmental Science at Berkshire Community College since 1999. Previously, he was a Field Biologist and Master Naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society for 24 years. Tyning also served for 15 years as an Adjunct Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Antioch New England Graduate School, as well as Springfield College and MCLA. For 25 years, he wrote a weekly Nature column for the Springfield (MA) Union-News. As an authority on New England natural history, Tyning's main research interests are amphibians and reptiles. His book, A Guide To Amphibians and Reptiles, is published by Little, Brown and Co. As a member of several professional natural history societies, he served for fifteen years as Managing Editor of the scientific journal Herpetological Review.  

 

As part of this discussion, Tyning will give an introduction to the organisms that use these mountain wetlands, which are often short-term, sometimes raging, and typically form little ravines as they tumble downhill. Several species of vertebrates, from fish to amphibians, are able to use these steep, tumbling waters for survival. This presentation will feature the Spring Salamander — one of the largest species we have yet utilizes the smallest streams. A potential casualty of Climate Change, historic records of this amphibian may provide an early warning system for their conservation. 

 

This event is hosted by Berkshire Environmental Action Teams (BEAT), a 501(c)3 non-profit that works to protect the environment for wildlife in support of the natural world that sustains us all.

 

This event will take place on Zoom. Registration is required to join. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/Streams-and-Salamanders