NEWS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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March 8, 2012
| CONTACT: | |
| Cheryl Piropato, Education Director 260-427-6803 Click to E-mail Cheryl |
Zoo Invites Citizens to Gather Data on Frogs
Croak, croak! The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo invites local
residents to participate in a national initiative to gather data on
frog and toad populations.
The program, called FrogWatch USA, trains volunteers to recognize
the calls of frogs and toads. The volunteers then visit local
ponds, streams, and wetlands to document the species they hear.
The information is sent to a national database, where it is used to
track trends in amphibian populations. In 2011, the zoo
trained 57 volunteers who collected hundreds of data sets on
northeast Indiana amphibians for the project.
“If you want to participate in a real conservation project, you
don’t have to travel to Africa or Asia,” says Zoo Volunteer
Coordinator Kathy Terlizzi. “FrogWatch USA is a chance for you
to get involved right in your own back yard.”
Frogs and toads are known as ‘indicator species,’ like the aquatic
version of the canary in the coal mine. They are often the
first to show the effects of pollution and habitat loss. Frog
and toad numbers are in serious decline worldwide.
Participants may attend one of two training classes, which will be
held at the Diehm Museum, 600 Franke Park Drive: Tuesday, March
13 from 5:30-9:30 pm, or Saturday, March 17 from 1:00-5:00 pm.
There is no fee to attend. Families, adults, teens, and youth
groups are all welcome. To register for the training or get
more information, contact the Zoo Volunteer Office at 260-427-6828
or volunteer@kidszoo.org.
FrogWatch USA is the flagship citizen science program of the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the accrediting
organization of zoos nationwide. Participation in FrogWatch
USA aligns with the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo's goal to engage the
public in conservation efforts.
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