Conserve Wildlife Blog

Citizen Science Project: Get in the Field for Frogs

December 9th, 2019

by: Alison Levine, Communications Coordinator

Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog. Photo by Brian R. Curry.

Amphibians are among the most vulnerable and rapidly declining wildlife groups in the world. Do you want to get out in the field and help frogs here in New Jersey? 

Join CWF biologist Allegra Mitchell and be a part of the Kauffeld’s Calling Frogs Citizen Science Monitoring Project.

In 2012, a new species, the Atlantic Coast (AC) leopard frog (Lithobates kauffeldi, named after the late renowned herpetologist Carl Kauffeld) was discovered in Staten Island. Like many amphibians, the AC leopard frog faces habitat loss, disease, and pollution.

In order to understand the threats facing this species, biologists need your help to find out where it lives. You can be part of the discovery and help biologists locate the AC leopard frog throughout New Jersey. CWF is hosting four training sessions for the Kauffeld’s Calling Frog project:

  • January 8 at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, 6 pm
  • January 11 at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Galloway, NJ, 1 pm
  • January 16 at the Ridge Street School in Newark, NJ 3:30 pm
  • January 22 at the NJ School of Conservation, Sandyston, NJ, 6 pm

Learn about this new frog species and its habitat and practice identifying its unique mating call. Training sessions will also discuss threats to amphibian conservation throughout the state. After training, citizen scientists will go out into the field during the mating season in early spring to collect data for a statewide effort to find out where this species lives.

The January 16 training in Newark is part of a special school program for Ridge Street School students sponsored by the Victoria and PSEG Foundations. Members of the greater Newark Community are invited to join students, teachers and parents to learn about the AC Leopard Frog and gather population data in Newark.

No experience required! Training and data collection materials will be provided. Registration is required, contact Allegra Mitchell, to register for any of the four dates.

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