KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) As spring approaches, so does one of nature’s most remarkable but treacherous journeys: the migration of frogs and salamanders to their breeding grounds. Every year, on the first warm and rainy nights of the season, thousands of amphibians emerge from their winter shelters and make their way to vernal pools and wetlands. But for many, that journey is cut short by busy roads.

To prevent these tiny travelers from becoming roadkill, the City of Keene is once again teaming up with the Harris Center for Conservation Education to temporarily close sections of North Lincoln Street and Jordan Road on key migration nights. These closures, known as “Big Night detours,” are based on nearly two decades of data collected by the Harris Center’s community science volunteers.

How to Get Involved

For those interested in lending a hand, the Harris Center is hosting a virtual training session for its Salamander Crossing Brigades on Thursday, March 13, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Volunteers will learn how to safely assist migrating amphibians and collect valuable data on their movements. More details and registration are available at harriscenter.org.

Visiting the Amphibian Crossings

Wildlife enthusiasts hoping to witness the migration firsthand can visit the North Lincoln Street crossing when the road is closed. A Harris Center naturalist will be on-site from sunset until 10 PM on rainy nights. However, access to the Jordan Road crossing is restricted to trained volunteers due to safety and parking limitations.

To plan a visit, here’s what you need to know:

  • Timing: Amphibians migrate after dark on warm, rainy spring nights. Road closure updates will be posted by 4 PM on potential migration days at harriscenter.org/salamander-forecast.
  • What to Bring: Dress for wet weather and bring a flashlight—cell phone lights won’t cut it. If the road remains open to traffic, a reflective vest is required for safety.
  • Parking: Visitors to the North Lincoln Street crossing should park in Woodland Cemetery’s southeast section, entering through the Beaver or Greenlawn Street gates when road closures are in effect. Parking along North Lincoln Street is not permitted.