In the fall of 2002 I got the opportunity to accompany a SREL scientist, Brian Metts, on a trip to survey and monitor rare salamanders in the Carolinas. Our destination were the Sumpter and Nantahala National Forests in North and South Carolina, respectively, where Brian had been conducting herpetofaunal surveys for several years. He had obtained historical data on the distribution of rare salamanders in this region and was trying to update the status of these species within the National Forests. Green Salamanders are (as of 2004) the only state endangered amphibian in North Carolina. All green salamanders pictured here were photographed as found and not disturbed.
On our way to the mountains we stopped at a section of Sumpter National Forest in Edgefield Co., SC to check up on a localized population of Webster's Salamanders (Plethodon websteri). This is furtherst east locality and the only area in South Carolina where this species is found.
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We continued on our way and soon after reaching the mountains stopped at an unblievably picturesque mountain stream in the Nantahala National Forest.
