News and updates
Vernal Pond Certification
Progress as of 6/3/2026
On the edge of Camp Paradise, there is what we’ve identified as a vernal pond that, for around the past 3 years, we've been trying to get official certification and protections for.
Though there have been some unforeseen challenges. Many times, we’ve gathered modern data that supports the existence of the vernal pond:
Salamander/frog egg masses
Depth
Certain seasonal changes
And more
We submitted it to government officials a few different times, and each time they asked us for more evidence we were apparently lacking. In a recent attempt, we submitted it under our club members' names, and they declined. But, next Jessica uploaded our research under her name, and they gave us a couple more things they need. Now we have collected photos of 5 egg masses as they asked, and are waiting to take pictures of the vernal pond in July to prove it is what we’ve said it is.
You may be wondering: Why are you so insistent on getting it certified?
And it's not a bad question. There's actually many different answers to it. Vernal ponds are well known to be overflowing with fascinating wildlife, a rare home to many different organisms. This vernal pond specifically, is located directly next to a compost dump, only a few paces from the property line. We are worried about possible damaging run off from said dump, which may be harming many of our little friends in the pond. We have seen an oily film on top of the pond,. Getting the vernal pond certified would help measures to be put in place that can protect it, for a rough example a short wall could be put in place to block unwanted waters from the dump from reaching the wildlife.
Another answer would be a popular one at Kestrel, giving a more known learning possibility. With the vernal pond marked on maps or in government records, will help interest and certainty grow about Camp Paradise.
Alyssa Magill, Conservation club member
