Here's the latest update from Lisa Levinson on the toad migration in Upper Roxborough. She said we could post it here. If you're interested in helping you can email her at lisa@publiceyephilly.org:
Hi Volunteers,
We've been "toadletting" for the past week or so. The main migration of toadlets from the Reservoir to the woods was in mid-June. We are just starting to see froglets crossing, first sightings in late June. They are bigger than the toadlets, twice the size and twice the speed!
On nights of heavy rain (6/17-20), we set up the barricades and counted hundreds of toadlets per night. Most traveled on Eva Street (near the Church), at the intersection of Port Royal & Hagy's Mill, and along Summit Street. Since then, we have not seen such numbers. Volunteers counted/moved approximately 100 toadlets across Summit Street per night between 10pm-12am. We estimate that thousands of toadlets crossed a couple weeks ago and hundreds continue to cross per night. Special thanks to the volunteers who helped!
Now we're observing toadlets (and now froglets) crossing late in the evening, 10pm-12am. There aren't many cars on Summit at this time, but we still see casualties. Without our help, we estimate that half die and half cross. Volunteers will be there on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, but we need help on other days. If you're available, meet at the intersection of Summit and Lare Street (near Ridge) between 9:30-10pm. Remember to wear light/reflective clothes and bring a flashlight and small dixie cup (great toad transporter). Please count the toads you cross and email the final count to me. We're not sure how long this will continue, perhaps another week or so.
Thanks so much for your continued support! We will assign nights to volunteers in the future to streamline this process. Here's a clip from a TV interview about the toadlet migration.
The experts at Philadelphia's Energy Coordinating Agency answer your energy questions in our regular feature Stay Warm, Stay Green. Send in your question or questions to energy@phillynews.com.
Look for Jenice Armstrong to supply tips on green living as well as occasional columns on the subject of Green. She also blogs at Hey Jen.
Becky Batcha stays tuned for the here-and-now practical side of conservation, alternative energy, organic foods, etc. - stuff you can do at home now. Plus odds and ends.
Flavia Colgan has been telling Citizen Hunters how to "go green" since back before everyone got tired of that phrase. She brings her knowledge of the worlds of politics and of entertainment to the table and point you to the most useful ideas she finds on the Web.
Laurie Conrad recycles from her ever-growing e-mailbag to pass along the latest travel deals, fashion statements, household strategies, gadgets, cool local events and other nuggets of interest to those who appreciate a clean, green world.
Vance Lehmkuhl looks at topics like eco-conscious eating, public transportation and fuel-efficient driving from his perspective as a vegetarian, a daily SEPTA bus rider and a hybrid driver, as well as noting the occasional wacky trend or product.
Ronnie Polaneczky sees the green movement through the eyes of her 12-year-old daughter, who calls her on every scrap of paper or glass bottle that Ronnie neglects to toss into the house recycling bins. Ronnie will blog about new or unexpected ways to go green. She also blogs at So, What Happened Was...
Sandra Shea and the DN editorial board opine on any green-related legislation or policy. And we'll pass along some of the opeds on the subject that people send us.
Jonathan Takiff will be blogging mainly about consumer electronics - those things that we love to use and that suck too much energy. He'll spotlight green-conscious gizmos made in a responsible fashion, both in terms of materials used and the energy it takes to run them.
Signe Wilkinson draws the comic strip Family Tree, which follows the Tree family as they try to live green in the face of nattering neighbors, plastic-wrapped consumer products, and the primal teenage urge to spend vast quantities of money on hair care products of dubious organic quality.
In addition to these updates from our newsroom bloggers, watch for an occasional feature, Dumpster Diver Dispatches, from Philadelphia's original "green" community of artists, the Dumpster Divers. You'll learn about creative ways to reuse and recycle while you reduce, and about the artists who are making little masterpieces from what others throw out.
Sept. 17: A head start on cold season
Oct. 8: Help with fuel bills
Oct. 29: Last-minute ways to winterize
Nov. 19: Budgeting for the big bite
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