Mood: incredulous
Topic: Frog Blog Profiles
Courtney Herrell took over the Frogwatch USA coordinator job last fall, and has taken a great program and made it even better. Many things such as experienced volunteers facilitating training workshops, a livejournal where Frogwatchers can communicate with each other, a monthly conference call for new volunteers with questions, updated manuals and even T-shirts and decals for the car. That’s not to mention the huge increase in volunteers as well as frog awareness. She has privileged us with a Frog Blog exclusive.
Top Ten Questions on the Board
Wendell’s Frog Blog Online Interview
1)WFB: Name, Rank and Serial Number. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? Maybe a little about your family? (Married? Siblings?) Hobbies?
CH: I grew up in Northern Virginia and have lived here all of my life, except for the year and a half I spent north of Pittsburgh for college. Unfortunately, I couldn’t handle the cold weather, so I finished out my degree at George Mason University. I received my degree in English, concentrating on nonfiction and editing. I am now working with National Wildlife Federation, but when I’m not at work, I am usually found with the girls lacrosse team that I coach or out to dinner with friends. I have a wide variety of activities – cross-stitching, reading, playing sports and looking for wildlife.
2)WFB: What sparked your interest in amphibians? What is your favorite amphibian, and why?
CH: I have always loved amphibians, but working with Frogwatch USA has greatly increased my love and knowledge of them. I remember when I was little, we lived in Ocean City, Maryland for the summers and the American Toads were found every wear. They were such a great thing to see and the fact that they ate lots of the millions of mosquitoes that swarmed our area was an added bonus.
3)WFB: Do you keep any pets?
CH: I have a Yorkshire Terrier named Kirby. He is a bundle of energy and the most adorable little thing. He’s very sweet, but very squiggly and rambunctious!
4)WFB: How are you involved with amphibians and their conservation?
CH: I am the Frogwatch USA Coordinator at National Wildlife Federation. I have the joy of teaching people across the country how to monitor frogs and toads in their area.
5)WFB: How did you get involved in this?
CH: I started with NWF right before my graduation from GMU as a temporary Habitats Program Assistant. As my assignment with the habitats team came to a close I was fortunate enough to discover that the Frogwatch USA position was available. Because I love frogs so much, and had experience with volunteer coordination with an assisted living home, I thought that it would be the perfect job!
6)WFB: What has been the most fulfilling part of working with amphibians for you?
CH: The most fulfilling part is to see some one hear the frog calls for the first time, and to have the opportunity to hear the stories of the great work that our volunteers do.
7)WFB: What would be the best way for others to get involved as you have?
CH: The best way to get involved, is to just start small. Even the simplest actions to help the environment are tremendous.
8)WFB: How did you learn about amphibians to do what you do?
CH: I have learned most of my knowledge about amphibians from my job. Before taking on this position, I just appreciated the frogs and toads as I saw them, but with the research I do to help answer volunteers’ questions and to help guide them through the Frogwatch program, I have learned so much about these beautiful creatures.
9)WFB: What is the most important thing you want others to know?
CH: Amphibians are so important to our environment and quality of life. Without them, pest populations will get out of control, our children will not have the joy of playing with frogs and toads and we will potentially lose very important research opportunities. In addition, amphibian decline is an indicator that something is going on in the environment globally.
When I think of the future of America, I hope that our posterity has the opportunity to see and experience the wonders of wildlife first hand and not from old pictures.
10)WFB: Do you have anything else you would like to share? (websites, contact info, other affiliations)
CH: www.frogwatch.org
I would like to thank Courtney for this wonderful interview, and for all her hard work and dedication to the Frogwatch USA program. She had some very big shoes to fill from former coordinators Emily Gibbs and Amy Goodstine, but she has taken all the awesome efforts they had put into Frogwatch and helped it to grow even more. I encourage everyone to check out the Frogwatch USA Homepage, it is frequently updated with new and interesting information and opportunities. For a quick link, look under conservation sites at the left.