John Evanishyn, an AmeriCorps member working with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, teaches third grade students about vernal pools Thursday at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Ninety third graders from Carrie Ricker School searched for fairy shrimp, dragonfly larva, eggs and found salamanders under nearby logs during the Vernal Pool Field Trip. Volunteers with the Litchfield Conservation Commission, Smithfield Plantation trustees and Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed organized the field trip that has been happening for over 15 years, Trustee David Larrabee said. Volunteer Denise Bechtel of the Litchfield Conservation Commission is at the back right. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Kiefer Servant collects specimens Thursday at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Ninety third graders from Carrie Ricker School searched for fairy shrimp, dragonfly larva, eggs and found salamanders under nearby logs during the Vernal Pool Field Trip. Volunteers with the Litchfield Conservation Commission, Smithfield Plantation trustees and Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed organized the event that has been happening for over 15 years, Trustee David Larrabee said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Anthony Williams, a third grader at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield, finds an eastern newt Thursday during the Vernal Pool Field Trip to Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lindsay Nelsen of the Litchfield Conservation Commission looks for salamander eggs with Noveah Rider, center, and Mia Bryce Doug on Thursday at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Ninety third graders from Carrie Ricker School searched for fairy shrimp, dragonfly larva, eggs and found salamanders under nearby logs during the Vernal Pool Field Trip. Volunteers with the commission, Smithfield Plantation trustees and Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed organized the trip that has been happening for over 15 years, Trustee David Larrabee said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Aretousa Karamousadakis, a third grader at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield, stands in a puddle Thursday during the Vernal Pool Field Trip at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Doug Suitor of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection shows third grade students the spotted salamander eggs he collected Thursday at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Ninety third graders from Carrie Ricker School searched for fairy shrimp, dragonfly larva, eggs and found salamanders under nearby logs during the Vernal Pool Field Trip. Volunteers with the Litchfield Conservation Commission, Smithfield Plantation trustees and Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed organized the field trip that has been happening for over 15 years, Trustee David Larrabee said. Students, from left, are Kiefer Servant, Aryan Brubaker and Aretousa Karamousadakis. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Doug Suitor of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection searches for specimens Thursday during the annual Vernal Pool Field Trip at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Aretousa Karamousadakis, left, and Brittany Gubbins have a close look at the water they collected Thursday at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Ninety third graders from Carrie Ricker School searched for fairy shrimp, dragonfly larva, eggs and found salamanders under nearby logs during the Vernal Pool Field Trip. Volunteers with the Litchfield Conservation Commission, Smithfield Plantation trustees and Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed organized the field trip that has been happening for over 15 years, Trustee David Larrabee said. Karamousadakis and Gubbins are students in Nicole Keaney’s class. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

The Vernal Pool Field Trip to Smithfield Planation in Litchfield on Thursday was the first since 2019, Smithfield Plantation Trustee David Larrabee said. The COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of school bus drivers canceled it in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Denise Bechtel, left, of the Litchfield Conservation Commission helps Everly Gauvin empty water out of the third grader’s boots Thursday during the Vernal Pool Field Trip at Smithfield Plantation in Litchfield. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal