ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-218
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
May 7, 2024
To recognize, honor, and celebrate the Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, and other
amphibians that call the District of Columbia home, and declare May 5 to May 11, 2024
“Amphibian Week” in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, May 5 to May 11, 2024 is National Amphibian Week;
WHEREAS, amphibians are unique because they begin their lives in the water, but live
most of the rest of their lives on land. Amphibians are also ectothermic, or “cold blooded,”
meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature and rely on external sources of heat,
like a rock warmed by the sun or a body of water;
WHEREAS, salamanders are a scientific order of amphibians;
WHEREAS, the Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, is a species of salamander
found throughout the Eastern and Appalachian regions of the United States, including in the
District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamanders are native to the District of Columbia and can be
found in just about every wooded area within its boundaries;
WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamanders eat bugs which helps control pests and maintain
the balance of the ecosystem;
WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamanders contribute to nutrient cycling by consuming
organic matter and releasing nutrients back into the soil through their waste, which helps
maintain soil fertility and supports the growth of plants in the forest;
WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamanders are important food for snakes, birds, and
mammals;
WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamander burrows provide shelter for a variety of small
animals, including insects, spiders, and other invertebrates;
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WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamanders' presence and the abundance of Red-backed
Salamanders are indicators of healthy and mature eastern forest ecosystems;
WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamanders collectively outweigh any other vertebrates in
eastern forests (yes, even humans or deer!);
WHEREAS, Red-backed Salamanders’ red stripes emulate the red horizontal bars on the
District of Columbia’s flag;
WHEREAS, the Red-backed Salamander has good friends at Powell Elementary School,
who studied the Red-backed Salamander and proposed that the Council adopt the Red-backed
Salamander as the official state amphibian of the District of Columbia.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “District of Columbia Amphibian Week Recognition Resolution
of 2024”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares May 5 – May 11, 2024,
“Amphibian Week” in the District of Columbia and hereby recognizes just how cool amphibians
are and encourages everyone in the District to turn over a fallen log and search for a Red-backed
Salamander.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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