Mood: incredulous
Topic: Frog Blog Profiles
Here is another great interview with someone making a difference for frogs and toads in the world. I won't spoil it for you, see all the remarkable things Nicole is doing in Loudoun County Virgina!
Top Ten Questions on the BoardWendell’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?
Nicole Hamilton, currently President of a local all-volunteer nonprofit called Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. My passion is the environment and when I’m not out and about on a nature walk, I enjoy nature photography and nature writing. Married but no kiddies, just cats and some other great pets.
2)WFB: What sparked your interest in amphibians?
NH: First, I think amphibians are neat; but we started our amphibian monitoring program as a way to start identifying critical habitat areas, get people involved with nature and learning and ultimately protecting habitat.
3)WFB: Do you keep any pets?
NH: Yes – cats all indoor, also mice and fish
4)WFB: How are you involved with amphibians and their conservation?
NH: Through Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy: www.loudounwildlife.org
5)WFB: How did you get involved in this?
NH: I was a member for a long time and then was asked to become President 4 yrs ago.
6)WFB: What has been the most fulfilling part of working with amphibians for you?
NH: I love watching for the Big Night Events. Listening and just sitting by a pond watching them – they’re just really cool.
7)WFB: What would be the best way for others to get involved as you have?
NH: Set up a backyard pond (no fish please) and let the frogs come to them – no need to introduce frogs – they’ll find the body of water on their own. Jump into a monitoring program like ours – and volunteer for a variety of things like a site survey or migration mapping.
8)WFB: How did you learn about amphibians to do what you do?
NH: I read a lot and created our amphibian monitoring program but there are also classes by the USDA in our area on amphibians
9)WFB: What is the most important thing you want others to know?
NH: Amphibians are an indicator species. While they are most frequently observed by us in pools and ponds and streams, they only live there for about 5% of their lives. To save amphibians, we need to protect more than just their wetland breeding areas – we need to protect the forests in which they live the rest of the year.
10)WFB: Do you have anything else you would like to share? (websites, contact info, other affiliations)
NH: Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy
Wow! What a terrific job she is doing. I would like to thank Nicole on behalf of frog lovers everywhere, their world, and ours in turn, is a better place because of you.
THANK YOU!