Deep in their subterranean tunnels, spotted salamanders are waiting for the right combination of temperature and rain to bring them out of their winter slumber.

And on the very night the salamanders emerge, a group of brave, dedicated and slightly wacky crossing guards will be there to help them on their journey. If you would like to be a part of this unique group, join the Lakes Environmental Association in Bridgton Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. for the Big Night Salamander Crossing Guard Training.

Big Night occurs every year during the first warm rains of spring. On these nights, salamanders and frogs migrate to wetlands to breed. On the way, many of them inevitably cross roads, which inevitably leads to collisions with cars, which inevitably leads to lots of amphibian mortality.

Salamander Crossing Guards adopt a road segment and help these creatures cross from one side to the other. Although this may seem a small act of benevolence, every amphibian saved combats the very real worldwide decline of frogs and salamanders and contributes to healthy, stable local populations. Plus, it is just so much fun.

New this year, volunteers will also have the opportunity to collect data about weather and migration patterns to help scientists understand this phenomenon better.

For more information about the salamander crossing guard training, call LEA at 647-8580 or e-mail bridie@leamaine.org. This program is part of the Caplan Family Environmental Education Series at LEA. For a complete listing of events in this series visit the Web site at www.mainelakes.org.

Be a salamander crossing guard