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31 August 2001

Frogwatch USA

It is well recognized among scientists that amphibian populations have declined.  Several species are now extinct and once-thriving populations have diminished in numbers.  Habitat loss, exposure to contaminants, ultraviolet radiation, introduced species, parasites, and fungal diseases are some of the factors identified as influencing amphibian declines.

Understanding the decline of amphibian populations is crucial in uncovering how people´s activities are affecting water quality, wildlife habitat, ecological processes, and other aspects of our environment.  We share our environment with amphibians and their decline may foreshadow challenges we all will have to face in the 21st Century.

What is Frogwatch USA?

Frogwatch USA is an educational, long-term frog and toad monitoring  program coordinated by the US Geological Survey`s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.  Frogwatch USA recruits volunteers to complement other ongoing local, national, and global amphibian monitoring efforts.  Frogwatch USA:   

  • Collects important information about frog and toad populations across the USA
  • Promotes an appreciation for diversity of frogs and toads
  • Fosters an understanding of the importance of wetlands within our changing landscapes
  • Provides an opportunity for children and adults to learn more about and establish a relationship with the natural world

How Does Frogwatch Work?

Frogwatch USA relies on volunteers, like yourself, across the nation to collect valuable data.  Volunteers participate by:

  • Learning the life histories and the voices of their local frogs and toads
  • Choosing safe and convenient wetlands to monitor; often in backyards or local parks
  • Periodically monitoring sites by listening - "frogwatching" - three minutes for frogs and toads after dusk
  • Registering and submitting findings via the Frogwatch USA Web site

Volunteers are Part of the Solution

Data collected by volunteers of Frogwatch USA provide important information about:

  • Distributions of frog and toad populations
  • Population trends at individual wetlands
  • Yearly patterns of frog and toad breeding activity

View results from the 1999 season online.

How Can You Help Out?

It's easy for you, your family, or your community to volunteer for Frogwatch USA. On this Web site, you should find the basic information you need to get started and the answers to frequently asked questions.

A Frogwatch USA Factsheet is available online if you would like a summary of the program to print out for others.

If you have any further questions about Frogwatch USA or the information on this Web site, please feel free to contact us.

Frogwatch USA Coordinator
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
US Geological Survey - Biological Resources Division
12100 Beech Forest Road Laurel, MD 20708-4038
Phone: (301) 497-5819
Fax: (301) 497-5784
Email: frogwatch@usgs.gov

 

Note: This announcement is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by SAS.