*Ribbit* and Here Comes FrogWatch!

Hi guys!

     So this is my first post on T4PL, and I was trying to think of something awesome to write about for my first post. Then I realized that I don't have anything mind-blowing to share at the moment and am therefore going to talk about Frogwatch USA and how you can get involved. FrogWatch is new and exiting program sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It just started up a new chapter in my area and the first meeting was held last Saturday. I will try to remember to post a link to the main website at the bottom of this page.
     FG is a citizen science program geared at educating the public while at the same time making a data base of frog numbers and distribution in the US. Similar to the National Bird Count, one of it's major goals is to record frog numbers through the use of call recognition. So instead of looking for birds, you are listening to ribbits. This has become a major push in a AZA as frog and toad populations have been declining over the years. Amphibians, such as frogs and toads, tend to be the first indicators of disturbances within an ecosystem and this makes monitoring their population in-situ extremely important. Factors such as water quality and agricultural runoff are considered to be a major cause of declining populations.
     If you are interested in getting involved with FrogWatch, please visit http://www.aza.org/frogwatch for more information and contact info for your local chapter. FG will provide training on frog call identification through local chapters along with other opportunities to help frogs, and I highly recommend looking at the AZA's list of chapter locations and getting in touch with your nearest one.

Bye bye for now-

KatieKate