Woodcock Nature Center Invites The Community To Participate in FrogWatch USA
Woodcock Nature Center is proud to announce its role as a participating chapter of FrogWatch USA, the national citizen science initiative that empowers community members to help monitor and protect local frog and toad populations.
FrogWatch USA, a longstanding program managed by the Akron Zoo and part of a nationwide network of chapters, invites individuals, families, and nature lovers to explore wetlands in their communities, learn to identify amphibian calls, and contribute valuable data to a scientific database used by researchers studying wetland health and amphibian populations.
Aspiring citizen scientists can register for upcoming FrogWatch USA volunteer training sessions tailored to all experience levels. These trainings will equip participants with the skills to identify frogs and toads by their unique calls, select monitoring sites, and record observations.
Current sessions include:
- Saturday, Feb. 28 – 1-2:30 p.m. at Woodcock Nature Center
- Tuesday, Mar. 3 – 6:30-8 p.m. Online via Zoom
Participation in FrogWatch USA does not require prior scientific experience just a curiosity and dedication to learning about local amphibians.
Frogs and toads play essential roles in forest and wetland ecosystems as both predators and prey, and serve as key indicators of environmental health. However, many species have experienced significant declines in recent years due to habitat loss and environmental stressors. The data collected by FrogWatch USA volunteers helps scientists better understand population trends, threats, and conservation needs at local and national scales.
For more details or to register for trainings, visit the Woodcock Nature Center website or contact Educator Tommy McCarthy at tmccarthy@woodcocknaturecenter.org.
