The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade has been walking a one-mile stretch of Chileno Valley Road at twilight from October through March for the past five years to rescue newts migrating to and from Laguna Lake.
The Brigade consists of about 100 volunteers who brave rain and cold to keep the slow-moving newts from being crushed by vehicles. Volunteers are led by nightly team captains and all are rigorously trained in road safety and how to handle the newts.
So far this year, the Newt Brigade has moved over 15,000 live newts – a huge increase from the last four years. The big change this year has been a banner crop of baby newts. Almost 17,400 juveniles were counted this season (13,000 alive and 4,400 smushed), compared to 4,700 last season and 5 during the 2021/22 winter.
The Brigade is working with Marin County Public Works Department on finding a long-term solution, such as specialized culverts, that would allow newts and other small creatures to safely cross Chileno Valley Road.
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