| Frog Watch | <Back | Next> |
 |
|
Frogs are disappearing around the world even in protected ecosystems. They’re sensitive to water, air and soil pollution as well as UV levels and global warming. What has affected frogs will also affect humans. Frogwatch is a program that monitors sensitive frog populations and calls on the efforts of volunteers to collect data.
After learning frog calls by visiting the Frogwatch web site, volunteers listen for frogs in their surroundings and submit their observations on the web.
Step-by-step instructions are outlined on the web site. Doing observations is as easy as listening for frogs while sitting on the dock of your cottage. No experience or knowledge is necessary.
The program is designed by Environment Canada’s Ecological Monitoring Assessment Network . The data collected will be used to construct ecological advisories and identify potential threats to ecosystems.
Volunteers can be reassured that the data they collect will be used by those who decide Canada’s environmental policies. Brian Craig, the Observations Program coordinator says, "a lot of people concerned about the environment don’t know how to help." With the Frogwatch program, volunteers can make a difference and learn a few things about frogs.
Submitting observations electronically saves time, paper and money. The EMAN office in Burlington, Ont. has a five person staff and is working on other monitoring projects and educational programs to get schools involved.
Each province and territory has a representative. Regional amphibian associations are sharing their data with the national Frogwatch program. In some areas data collected a hundred years ago are being compared to data collected now. Volunteers are encouraged to submit observations as often as they can but one-time frogwatchers are welcomed too.
EMAN has partnered with the Canadian Nature Federation to distribute frog identification posters. People who don’t have access to the Internet can hear frog calls and submit their data by calling 1-888-31 FROGS.
Frogwatch
Join frogwatch from anywhere in Canada
Environment
Canada’s Ecological Monitoring Assessment Network
Join other monitoring programs
Metropolitan
Toronto Zoo Adopt a Pond
Learn how to identify frogs and salamanders
Canadian
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network (CARCN)
Identification, distribution, natural history and conservation of frogs
Canadian
Nature Federation
The national voice for protection of nature
