The Vernal Pool Stewardship Award program is an Of Pools and People initiative that awards vernal pool-friendly properties, including forestland and suburban properties. The goal of the VP Stewardship Program is to establish a new culture of land management that is proven to help protect vulnerable Vernal Pool dependent species such as the spotted salamander, blue spotted salamander, and wood frog. Landowners who implement land management practices and landscaping on their property that is advantageous to pool-dependent amphibians represent a “model” property which can receive the certifying VP Stewardship Award. Those landowners receive a VP Stewardship Award sign to proudly display on their property.

Properties qualifying for the award follow the designated best management practices for either rural or suburban areas. Host organizations review applications and provide landowners with the signs.

View/Download the Vernal Pool Stewardship Award Manual

View/Download the Vernal Pool Stewardship Award Program Landowner Agreement