ROYAL OAK — The Detroit Zoological Society is encouraging southeast Michigan residents to join the local chapter of FrogWatch USA.
“We already know about the extinctions and crises amphibians face globally, but we don’t know what’s happening in our own backyards. FrogWatch allows us to monitor our native amphibians and make sure their populations are healthy,” says Scott Carter, Detroit Zoological Society chief life sciences officer.
FrogWatch USA is a collaborative effort among the Association of Zoos and Aquariums throughout the U.S. The program allows individuals and families to learn about the wetlands in their communities and to contribute to the conservation of amphibians and teaches volunteers how to identify frogs and toads by their breeding calls and to gather and record data that supports a national network.
FrogWatch volunteers choose from locations in the tri-county area and monitor the sites for several weeks. Their observations provide valuable insight into whether amphibians in the region are declining or increasing or if new species are being found in areas where they have not been identified before.
FrogWatch training classes will be held from 12 – 4 p.m. on Feb. 8; 5 – 9 p.m. on Feb. 12; 12 – 4 p.m. on Feb. 28; and 5 – 9 p.m on March 26, at the Detroit Zoo’s Ford Education Center.
For more information or to register, contact Associate Curator of Amphibians Rebecca Johnson at rjohnson@dzs.org.
