Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade?
The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade is a voluntary group of citizens concerned about vehicles on Chileno Valley Road running over newts and other amphibians trying to get to Laguna Lake to breed. We wish to preserve our native species for the benefit of all native species, including humans.
Why are newts on the road?
Newts cross from their summer habitat in the woods on the south side of Chileno Valley Road to their breeding habitat in the lake on the north side of the road as soon as the rains start in the fall and through the winter. These same adults, after breeding, migrate back to the woods across the road in the winter and spring. Juvenile newts that were born in the prior spring also migrate to the woods in winter and spring.
What species are on the road?
California newts, rough skinned newts, California red-legged frogs, arboreal salamanders, slender salamanders, and Pacific chorus frogs. California newts are the most common species.
What is the life cycle of the newts?
Chileno Valley newts live in two habitats: Laguna Lake and its wetlands, and the forested hills. Most of their lives are spent under litter or in gopher holes in the hills above the Laguna. When it is time to breed, they head for the Laguna. They can walk five miles. As they enter the lake, their bodies change to make them good swimmers and prepared for reproduction. After they breed and the eggs are laid on the grasses and reeds in the lake near the shore, they return to their hillside habitats.
When the first rains begin in the late fall, the newts begin to migrate. Their favorite time to move is when there is a warm rain. They like a temperature of around 55 degrees. Young newts, born in the previous spring that had reared in the Laguna through the summer, also migrate from the lake to the woods in the fall and winter.
Marin County has very few natural lakes. Newts have been breeding in this lake longer than people have been living in Chileno Valley. Laguna Lake and its special native population of California newts is unique and valuable to us all.
Why does the Brigade want to save the newts and other amphibians?
Amphibians worldwide are declining. Because of their permeable skin, a lifecycle that is both aquatic and terrestrial, and unshelled eggs, amphibians are extremely sensitive to small changes in temperature and moisture. California newts are listed as a species of special concern in parts of California. In Southern California where the climate is hot and dry and there is over-development, California newts are threatened with extinction.
We are concerned about all native amphibians as our summer temperatures are rising and drought is more common. With these conditions, any added challenges they face to their survival are threats that could lead to their extinction.
A major threat to their survival is mortality caused by vehicles as they cross the road. This is universal throughout the world and citizens are finding solutions to offset this.
Our goal is to keep the newt and other native species’ populations at sustainable numbers. During the winter and spring of 2019/2020, we counted approximately 40% mortality of adult newts crossing the road. For juveniles, it was higher. At that rate, the sustainable population number we are trying to preserve may be unreachable.
What do you do to save the newts?
Newt Brigade volunteers go out on the roadside during the migration period in the evenings and look for newts and other amphibians trying to cross the road. Volunteers wear reflective safety vests and carry flashlights. They do not stop or impede traffic. Volunteers and many motorists have been courteous and we have received positive comments from motorists.
Volunteers photograph the newts and other amphibians, note the species, the date and time, and the direction the animal is going. The volunteer carries the animal across the road in the same direction it was traveling and places it on the road shoulder in the County right-of-way. Volunteers typically work from 5 to 8 pm. On “Big Nights”, they will stay longer.
The photos and the data collected are sent to iNaturalist, an online database. At the end of the season, the Newt Brigade summarizes and analyzes the data. The data and reports are available to the public.
How can the newts and other amphibians be protected on a permanent basis?
All the following amphibian crossing methods have been used to varying degrees of success around the world.
● Improving and retrofitting culverts to make them more usable by the amphibians
● Installing specially designed amphibian tunnels under various parts of the road
● Raising the sections of road that are most impactful on amphibian populations.
The Brigade is seeking funding to research and determine which of these methods might be most effective on Chileno Valley Road. Any method selected must preserve or enhance road safety.
How does the Brigade notify neighbors that volunteers will be working that night?
The Brigade has an email list to let neighbors know when a large number of volunteers will be working on a particular night or series of nights. These nights are during warm rains. Neighbors can expect to see a few volunteers on the side of the road from the beginning of the newt migration to the end, usually from late November to Mid -March.
Don’t the volunteers actually increase traffic by driving out here?
No. Volunteers meet at a ranch two miles from the migration site and park there. They do not drive through the amphibian migration area by the Laguna.
Will the project lead to restrictions on ranching?
No. Keeping the numbers of newts and other amphibians at a sustainable number will prevent new species from being listed as rare or endangered by the state and federal governments
It is always best for the species we are trying to conserve and for the landowners, to be PROACTIVE by finding solutions that prevent endangered species listings. Listings are REACTIVE and by that time, it is almost too late to save the species.
Will your project help ranchers?
Saving the newts and frogs is popular. If the ranchers are supportive, it will improve the reputation of ranchers in the non-ranching urban community.
We believe that ranchers and landowners care about our natural environment both for their livelihoods as well as to preserve the land for their children and grandchildren. Ecological health and biodiversity are no longer mysteries or myths. If a native species that has existed in a certain landscape for thousands of years is eliminated, there will be ecological consequences. For humans, this could be the increase in unwanted nuisance species that the native species had kept in balance. This includes mosquitos and other disease carrying pests. Like the forecast for increased wildfire and hurricanes, more disease caused by virus’ and bacteria that are allowed to grow uncontrolled is also in the forecast for our future if we allow degradation of our natural environment.
It’s all about keeping balance.
How is the project financed?
We are all volunteers: no one is paid.
In 2019, The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade got $2000.00 from the County Wildlife Commission and the Tomales Bay Watershed Foundation to buy safety equipment. Otherwise, members themselves have born the costs of our efforts.
How can people help the newts and the Newt Brigade?
The best that the local community can do is to allow the volunteers to rescue as many newts and other amphibians as possible until we find another solution. And while driving, slow down to ensure that volunteers and the newts are safe.
Newt Brigadiers are focused on preserving the Chileno Valley Newt population. However, the Brigadiers believe in the preservation of the local ranching community, which is a major part of the heritage in West Marin County. There are local landowners who are concerned about their property rights and there are local landowners who also care about wildlife. Many times, these are the same ranchers.
We believe that through honest and informed communication, we can come together and find the solution that will benefit both the ranchers and the newts.
What can I do to help?
If you’d like to volunteer to help move newts and other amphibians safely across the road, please send an email to sally@chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org. We will provide you with the equipment you need.
If you’d like to donate to cover our equipment costs, please click here.
If you’d like to help publicize our cause, please go to our merchandise page, and check out our handsome hats and shirts.