Potter Park Zoo is inviting Michigan residents to join FrogWatch and become volunteer citizen scientists!

Amphibians are some of the most threatened animals on the planet and the anurans (frogs and toads) represent roughly 90 percent of all amphibian species. Their sensitivity to environmental change also makes them important indicators of environmental health, sparking numerous efforts to understand the causes and geographic distribution of their decline.

During our two sessions, volunteers will learn about basic amphibian biology, wetland habitats, and how to identify local frog and toads by their behavior and mating calls. As a citizen scientist, their observations will be uploaded to a national database. This is a great opportunity for adults and families alike to get outdoors and experience our native wildlife. Sign up for session 2 below!

Click to Sign up For Session 2

You do not have to be a frog or toad expert to be a FrogWatch volunteer! All you need is:

• An interest in frogs and toads and a willingness to learn their calls
• Ability to attend one of our two training sessions
• A commitment to follow the standardized protocol to monitor a wetland site over multiple evenings throughout the breeding season (February – August)

FrogWatch training classes for 2022 will be offered at Potter Park Zoo April 30 at 1 p.m. and May 7 at 3 p.m. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.