The sound of frogs calling in the night is more than just a sign of spring’s arrival. Frog calls can also be an important way to determine where different species live and how populations are doing over time – and many scientists now believe keeping track of these small amphibians can provide valuable information about our natural world.

“Frogs, toads, and other amphibians have received more attention over the last few years as scientists and the public have become increasingly alarmed over amphibian declines and deformities. Because amphibians are aquatic for at least part of their life cycle, they can serve as important indicators of water quality and other aspects of environmental health,” said Holly Niederriter, a wildlife biologist with the Delaware Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

Concern over declines in amphibian populations has prompted the initiation of amphibian monitoring programs in North America and around the world, Niederriter added. The Delaware Amphibian Monitoring Project (DAMP) is our local chapter of a national effort called the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program.

This spring DAMP is seeking volunteers to conduct surveys of calling frogs around the state. Volunteers with DAMP are assigned a route in one portion of the state, and they conduct surveys by listening for calling frogs at stops along the route, where they record the species they hear and general number of frogs calling. A number of routes have yet to be assigned in Delaware, particularly in Sussex and Kent counties.

Potential volunteers need to have a car, access to the internet and be willing to conduct surveys along a roadside at night. An orientation meeting on Friday, Feb. 27, training CD and other information will be provided. After volunteers familiarize themselves with the calls of Delaware’s 16 frog species, they conduct three nighttime surveys between February and July each year.

Each survey takes between two to three hours, not including drive time to the start point. This is a long-term project and is best suited for volunteers who are able to commit to conducting surveys for at least a few years.

To find out more about volunteering for DAMP, please contact Vickie Henderson, Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, at 302-943-9660 or via e-mail Vickie.Henderson@state.de.us. You can also visit the national project website at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/.

DAMP was started in 1997 and is part of the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP), which helps to coordinate similar efforts in other states and provinces. The program is funded by donations to the Nongame and Endangered Species Fund on the Delaware state income tax form. You can donate all or a portion of your state tax refund to keep frogs singing in Delaware.

-30-

Want your news hot off the press? Join the DNREC press release email list by sending a blank email to
join-dnrec_press_releases@lists.state.de.us.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 12:26 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

?From Silent Spring to Silent Night: A Tale of Toads and Men?
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Convocation Connects Environmental Conservation and Health

Biologist and herpetologist Tyrone Hayes will present a convocation address entitled “From Silent Spring to Silent Night: A Tale of Toads and Men” on Friday, February 13 at 10:50 a.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel. Hayes’ primary research focuses on the role of environmental factors on growth and development in amphibians. His studies have revealed how synthetic chemicals (such as the pesticide atrazine, which is frequently used in Minnesota) interact with hormones in a variety of ways to alter developmental responses. Hayes findings reveal a crucial new link between conservation and health. This event is free and open to the public.

If you ever get the opportunity to see Dr. Hayes, DO NOT PASS IT UP! He is the best speaker I have ever seen talking about something that is both terrifying but interesting. His presentation will change the way you look at the world and your own life as well.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 12:22 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Frog and Toad Monitoring Workshops in Michigan's Rogue Water Shed
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Friends of the Rouge Needs Frog Surveyors

It may be hard to imagine that in as little as one month, our skies will fill with the calls of amorous amphibians. If you are interested in learning more about why and where frogs call, consider signing up for Friends of the Rouge's annual frog and toad survey.

"Participating in the survey is a great way to learn more about the frogs and toads that live in the area," said Sally Petrella, Volunteer Monitoring Program Manager for Friends of the Rouge and manager of the annual Rouge Frog and Toad Survey. "You need no prior experience, just some interest in the local environment. We provide all the information and materials needed to do the survey at our training workshops."

Interested volunteers simply sign up and attend one of four Frog & Toad Survey Training Workshops being held in February and March.

The first workshop is appropriately being held on Valentine's Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Southfield Parks and Recreation Center.

The workshops teach residents all about the 7 frogs and one toad found in the Rouge River Watershed (the 466 square mile area drained by the Rouge River, including much of metro Detroit). Attendees go home with an assignment to learn the 8 calls from a cd they are provided.

Learning the calls is one of the things that volunteers really enjoy about the survey. Once spring comes, they will be expected to venture out to a nearby wetland after dark and determine what type of frogs and toads are calling. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in teams and children over 5 are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult.

The survey is made possible by grants from the Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project and the Farmington/Farmington hills Foundation for Youth and Families.

Interested volunteers need to choose one of the below workshops and register by calling (313) 792-9621 or e-mailing monitoring@therouge.org.

Survey blocks are Â¼-square mile areas with wetlands that drain to the Rouge River which includes the west side of Detroit and its west and northern suburbs.

¥ Saturday February 14, 10 a.m.-noon Southfield Parks and Recreation Center, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield

¥ Wednesday March 4, 7-9 p.m. Canton Summit on the Park, Walnut Room, 46000 Summit Parkway, Canton

¥ Saturday March 14, 10 a.m.-noon Farmington Hills Council Chambers, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills

¥ Saturday March 21, 10 a.m.-non Plymouth Township Hall, 9955 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth

Friends of the Rouge is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River ecosystem through education, citizen involvement and other collaborative efforts, for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the people, plants, and animals of the watershed. The Rouge Frog & Toad Survey has been coordinated by Friends of the Rouge since 1998. For more info, visit Friends of the Rouge's website at www.therouge.org.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 11:37 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Saturday, 7 February 2009

Hawaii Workshop about Coqui Frog
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

The Coqui are Coming! The Coqui are Coming!

town hall meeting on Monday, February 9, 2009 at Hahaione Elementary School from 7 to 9pm regarding the coqui frog and its increasing presence in East Honolulu.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 10:15 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Volunteer in North Carolina to help Frogs and Toads
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Volunteers Needed for Frog and Toad Call Surveys

Learn to identify the monotonic, nasal “queenk, queenk, queenk” of the green treefrog at workshops being conducted for volunteers with the Calling Amphibian Survey Program.

MEDIA: A hi-res version of the image may be downloaded here. Please credit the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 2, 2009) – Got a good ear, an interest in frogs and toads and three nights to get outside and listen? If so, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission needs your help monitoring amphibian populations in North Carolina by participating in this year’s Calling Amphibian Survey Program (CASP).

CASP volunteers adopt a survey route, stop along 10 spots on the route for three nights in a 4-month period, listen for 5 minutes and write down any frog and toad calls they hear. They submit their data either online or by mail before Oct. 1. The data collected is compiled and used to assess trends in frog and toad populations in North Carolina and the Southeast.

CASP, now in its fourth year of implementation, has 139 survey routes available across the state. Surveys will be conducted during the following time periods: Jan. 15-Feb. 28; March 15-April 30; May 15-June 30. Volunteers will conduct at least one survey on their route within each of the three time periods.

CASP volunteers receive a packet with monitoring materials and instructions. First-time volunteers who complete and submit their surveys receive a free copy of the Frogs and Toads of North Carolina CD and booklet, which was produced by the Commission in 2007.

To assist volunteers in their frog-calling identification skills, eight workshops are being conducted across the state in February and March. At the workshops, volunteers will spend time learning call identification techniques and CASP protocols before spending time outdoors putting their newly acquired listening skills to the test.

“Stop. Listen. Count. It’s a pretty simple process for those who already know their amphibian calls,” said Jeff Hall, a Commission herpetologist and coordinator of the N.C. Partners in Amphibian Conservation (NCPARC) and CASP. “And for those folks who don’t know their calls very well, these workshops will help them learn new calls and help them brush up on the calls they are already somewhat familiar with.”

“Best of all, most of the workshops don’t cost participants a dime.”

While participants can leave their money at home, they do need to bring to the workshops, along with an interest in frogs and toads, a willingness to learn their calls and a commitment to at least three surveys in each of the time periods.

“We really want people to commit to running the routes that they have chosen,” Hall said. “CASP only works as it’s intended if people sign up, learn to identify the calls, run the routes, record what they heard, and turn that information in by the deadline.”

CASP survey data, which have been collected since 2006, contribute to other information that has been gathered on the distribution and abundance of frogs and toads in North Carolina. Data from North Carolina have been pooled with other states so that biologists can determine regional and national trends in frog distribution and any changes in frog and toad populations.

“Understanding these trends will provide us a better understanding of the status and health of our frog and toad populations, and will enable us to protect critical habitats for our frog and toad species,” Hall said.

A world-wide decline in frogs and toads has prompted the U.S. Geological Survey to administer the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, of which the Calling Amphibian Survey Program is a participating member. The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program developed an online database that allows state coordinators, volunteers and the public to interact directly by learning frog calls, taking frog call quizzes, entering data and downloading route information. For more information, visit www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/.

Funding for CASP comes from the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund, the primary source of state funds for the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity and Aquatic Nongame programs. The agency uses this fund to support nongame wildlife research, conservation and management, as well as to provide mandatory matching funds for federal and other grants. Nongame wildlife includes all the birds, mammals, fish, mollusks, reptiles, amphibians, and crayfish that do not have a designated hunting or fishing season.

North Carolinians can support this effort as well as other nongame species research and management projects in North Carolina through the Tax Check-off for Nongame and Endangered Wildlife. Checking line No. 27 lets taxpayers designate part or all of their state tax refunds to this fund. Since 1984, taxpayers have given more than $8 million for wildlife conservation through this funding mechanism.

Tax season isn’t the only time to give to wildlife. Other ways to help North Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats year-round are:

Donating online;
Rounding up purchases at any of three N.C. Wild Stores;
Registering a vehicle with a N.C. Wildlife Conservation license plate;
Volunteering to help Commission staff with nongame-related projects.

For more information on frog and toad monitoring programs in North Carolina, visit the NCPARC Web site, http://www.ncparc.org/casp/casp.htm. For more information on the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, visit www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/.

Frog Call Identification Workshops

Workshops are free to participants, with the exception of the workshop at Camp Agape, which costs $15. To download a flyer for each workshop, click here.

Date/Time

Location

Contact Information

Feb. 18

6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Rollingview Recreation Area

3500 Baptist Road

Durham, N.C. 27703

Brian Bockhahn

brian.bockhahn@ncmail.net

(919) 676-1027

March 3

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Halyburton Park

4099 S. 17^th Street

Wilmington, NC. 28412

Andy Fairbanks

Andy.Fairbanks@wilmingtonnc.gov
(910) 794-6001

March 10

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Cool Springs Environmental Ed Ctr

U.S. 17

Craven County

Mike Campbell

mike.campbell@ncwildlife.org

(252) 514-6663

March 16

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Stevens Nature Center

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

2616 Kildaire Farm Road

Cary, N.C. 27512

Jeff Hall

Jeff.g.hall@earthlink.net

(252) 917-1683

March 24

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

John E. Pechmann Fishing Ed. Ctr.

7489 Raeford Road

Fayetteville, N.C. 28304

Mike Campbell

mike.campbell@ncwildlife.org

(252) 514-6663

March 31

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Roanoke/Cashie River Center

Windsor, N.C.

Mike Campbell

mike.campbell@ncwildlife.org

(252) 514-6663

April 2

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Camp Agape

1369 Tyler Dewar Ln.
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Mir Youngquist-Thurow

ACEed@agapekurebeach.org
(919) 552-9421

April 7

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Betsy-Jeff Penn Ed 4-H Center

804 Cedar Lane

Reidsville, N.C. 27320

Jeff Hall

Jeff.g.hall@earthlink.net

(252) 917-1683

Click here for the online frog and toad calling identification quiz.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 9:51 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Zoos with Amphibian News
Mood:

cheeky
Topic: Places to go

Art meets ice at the Helsinki Zoo

Korkeasaari hosts its 6th annual international ice-sculpting competition, spanning 2 weekends, 4 competitions, 18 countries, 52 artists and hundreds of endangered species.

Zoo reveals £150,000 of new projects

The zoo is to convert an educational building, at cost of £40,000, into an amphibian ark for endangered species, and as part of an international campaign about the land-living cold-blooded vertebrates which breed in water including frogs, toads and salamanders.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 8:52 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Australia's Harrington Waters community hold Cane Toad Training
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Cane toad roundup

They will stage a public information session at Harrington Waters Golf Club at 6pm on Thursday, inviting people of all ages to go along and learn more about the threats from cane toads to native and domestic animals.

Those attending will learn to distinguish between the noxious toads and harmless native frogs, and be given instructions on how to safely capture the invaders from northern Australia.

While my Morris (named after Morris Gleitzman, author of Toad Rage) is a beloved member of my amphibian entourage, I understand the damage they are doing to the native fauna of Australia. This workshop sounds like a great opportunity for the locals to learn about the Cane Toad and how to tell it from native species. The hunting for toads would also be great fun, I love hunting for toads here, but the ending is different when I do it. I do like that they are stressing the humane disposal. Some of the articles I have read in the past make it sound more like a lynch mob with cricket bats. (reminecient of the Beavis and Butthead 'Frog Baseball' that was eventually banned.) I am glad to hear this is not the case here. I wonder if they still are using the disposed toads for fertilizer? Reduce, REUSE, Recycle.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 8:48 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Sunday, 1 February 2009

Training Workshops for Frogs and Toads in Indiana
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Frog, toad workshops

Journal Gazette

So is the nation’s frog and toad population on the wane?

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will attempt to answer that question with three one-time workshops on the state’s 17 frog and toad species.

The first, on Saturday at Fort Harrison State Park, will run from 2 to 4 p.m. and train volunteers to study the state’s toad and frog population.

Subsequent workshops are Feb. 28 at Salamonie Lake Nature Center and March 1 at Spring Mill State Park.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 10:07 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

Indiana DNR's NREC (Natural Resources Education Center) 2009 Workshops
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

2009 Workshop Schedule

Go FishIN
March 5 & 7 and March 12 & 14 - Basic Crew Captain Workshop, Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park This workshop is two sessions and you must attend a session from Part One and Part Two.
Part One:
Thursday, March 5, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm or Saturday, March 7, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Part Two:
Thursday, March 12, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm or Saturday, March 14, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
For more information or to register, contact the Natural Resources Education Center at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
April 25 – Combined Go FishIN & Project WET Workshop, Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm To register contact the Natural Resources Center at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338. May 23 - Basic Crew Captain Workshop, Rome City , Gene Stratton Porter Historic Site, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm To register contact the Natural Resources Education Center at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.June 6 –Special Family Learn to Fish Class, Indianapolis, NREC and Fort Harrison State Park, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Bring your family to celebrate Free Fishing Weekend. Families will learn basic angling skills and have the opportunity to practice your skills here at the park. Park fee required. To register or for more information, contact the NREC at
nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
June 13 – Basic Crew Captain Workshop, Fort Wayne, Salomon Farm Park, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm To register or for more information contact the Natural Resources Education Center at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338. June 19 – Combined Aquatic WILD and Go FishIN Workshop, Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park To register contact the Natural Resources Education Center at
nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
July 10 – Basic Crew Captain Workshop, Indianapolis, Marion College, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm This workshop is for educators but anyone can attend. To register or for more information, contact the NREC at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
**We will also have classes in the Ft. Wayne and Evansville area coming soon.

Hoosier Riverwatch
February 19 – Advanced E coli Training – Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm To register contact the NREC at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
March 13 – Riverwatch Refresher Sessions, Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park, 11:00-12:00 – Database,
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm-Chemistry, and Macros/Physical Habitat – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm This training is for certified Riverwatch volunteers who would like to refresh their knowledge of Riverwatch concepts and topics. Sign up for one, two or all three sessions. To register contact the NREC at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338 March 27 – Indianapolis, NREC – Ft. Harrison State Park, 8:30am – 4:30pm To register contact the NREC at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.April 25 - Indianapolis, Holiday Park Nature Center, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm To register contact the NREC at
nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
April 28 & April 30 - Kokomo, Jackson Morrow Park – Kirkendall Nature Center, 5:30-9:00 pm You must attend both days to be a certified volunteer. For more information or to register, contact Sarah Brichford at naturecenter@cityofkokomo.org or 765-864-1655.
April 29 – Healthy Water Healthy People, Owen County, McCormick’s Creek State Park, 9:00am – 4:00 pm Project WET and Hoosier Riverwatch are teaming up to provide this workshop for middle and high school educators to help them understand the science behind water monitoring. To register or for more information, contact the NREC at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
May 16 – Elkhart, Bonneyville Mill County Park, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm To register contact Krista Daniels at krista@elkhartcountyparks.org or 574-875-7422.
May 23 - Chesterton (Porter County), Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm To register contact Joe Exl with the Lake Michigan Coastal Program at jexl@dnr.in.gov or 219-921-0863.
May 28 - Battleground(Tippecanoe County), Brier Environmental Center, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm To register contact Mary Cutler with Tippecanoe Parks & Rec at 765-567-2993 or mcut@msn.com.June 13 – Peru(Miami County), Peru Wastewater Treatment Plant, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm To register contac t Jamin Beisiegel at
jbeisiegel@peruutilities.com or 765-473-7651.
June 17 – Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm To register contact the NREC at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.June 22 – Healthy Water Healthy People, Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park, 9:00am – 4:00 pm Project WET and Hoosier Riverwatch are teaming up to provide this workshop for middle and high school educators to help them understand the science behind water monitoring. To register or for more information, contact the NREC at
nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
June 24 - Winona Lake, Senior Activity Center, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm To register contact Darci Zolman with the Koscuisko County SWCD at darci.zolman@in.nacdnet.net or 574-267-7445 x 3.June 25 – Advanced E coli Training – Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park, 2:30 pm – 4:45 pm To register contact the NREC at
nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
June 27 - Chesterton (Porter County), Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm To register contact Joe Exl with the Lake Michigan Coastal Program at jexl@dnr.in.gov or 219-921-0863.August 15 – Indianapolis, Holiday Park Nature Center, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm To register contact the NREC at
nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
September 12 - Frankfort, Camp Collum, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm To register contact Leah Harden with Clinton County SWCD at leah.harden@in.nacdnet.net or 765-659-1223 x 3.September 12 – South Bend, St. Patrick’s County Park(Brown Barn) 8:30 am – 4:30 pm To register contact Brooke Artley with St. Joseph County Parks at
bartley@sjcparks.org or 574-277-4828.
October 9 & 10 – Indianapolis, NREC-Fort Harrison State Park This is a 2 day basic training workshop that will include E coli training. You must attend both days. Times: Friday-12:30 pm – 5:00 pm and Saturday – 8:30 am- 1:00 pm. To register contact the Natural Resources Education Center at nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.

Project Learning Tree
March 28 - Prek-8 PLT Basic Workshop, Nature Center, Brown County State Park, Nashville, 9am-4pm. There is a $15 fee for this workshop (checks only, payable to IFEF/PLT). For more information or to register, contact Donna Rogler at plt@dnr.in.gov or 317-549-0354.
April 3 – PreK-8 Workshop, St. Patrick’s Park, South Bend. Fee - $15.00. For more information contact Maria Peacock at mpeacock@sjcparks.org or 574-277-4828.April 4 - Secondary Workshop: Forest Issues, Forest Ecology, Forests of the World, Indianapolis NREC – Ft. Harrison State Park, 9am-3pm. Please join us for a Project Learning Tree workshop covering three important forest topics. The modules are targeted at the secondary audience but can be adapted for middle school also. There is a $15 fee for this workshop and participants will receive all 3 modules. For more information or to register, contact Donna Rogler at
plt@dnr.in.gov or 317-549-0354.
April 17 – The Places They Lived, Zion Lutheran School, New Palestine, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm. Fee: $6.00. For more information contact Sam Carman at scarman@dnr.in.gov or 317-232-4119.
May 4-7 – International PLT Coordinators’ Conference, Indianapolis Hilton, Indianapolis.
June 11 – PreK-8 Workshop, Scott County. For more information contact Lynda Phillips, Scott County SWCD, 812-752-2269, ext. 114 orlynda.phillips@in.nacdnet.net
June 18 – Global Connections: Forests of the World, NREC, Indianapolis, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Forests of the World provides formal and nonformal educators with a series of activities to help students and educators gain an increased understanding and appreciation of the diversity of world forest environments, with an emphasis on the human interaction with and dependence on those environments. The module activities provide students with opportunities to apply scientific processes and higher order thinking skills while investigating world forestry issues and conducting service learning action projects For more information or to register, contact Donna Rogler at plt@dnr.in.gov or 317-549-0354.
June 23 – PreK-8 Workshop, NREC, Indianapolis, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. For more information or to register, contact Donna Rogler at plt@dnr.in.gov or 317-549-0354.

Project WET
February 28, 2009 - Project WET and Veolia Water Box Workshop, Eagle Creek Earth Discovery Center, Indianapolis, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm The Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance is teaming up with Project WET, the Veolia Water Box and IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science to offer the Project WET and Veolia Water Box workshop. The workshop is for educators in the Eagle Creek Watershed who teach upper elementary students (4th and 5th grade). The workshop will focus on topics such as the water cycle, watersheds, pollution, environmental stewardship and more. Participants will receive training in Project WET and the Veolia Water Box. Cost is FREE thanks to a sponsorship by the Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance and Veolia Water. To register, contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338.
February 28, 2009 – Project WET Basic Workshop, Celery Bog Nature Area, West Lafayette, 9:00 am – 4:00pm.
This workshop is FREE, however pre-registration is required. To register, contact Don Emmert at don.emmert@in.nacdnet.net or 765-474-9992 ext 111.
March 19, 2009 – WET & WILD Combo, Limberlost State Historic Site, Geneva, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
This workshop will include training in both the Project WET and Project WILD programs and participants will receive 3 curriculum guides. This workshop is FREE, however pre-registration is required. To register, contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or call 317-562-1338.
April 25, 2009 – Project WET & Go FishIN Combo, NREC Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
This workshop will include training in both the Project WET and Go FishIN programs and participants will receive curriculum guides for both programs. This workshop is FREE, however pre-registration is required. To register, contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or call 317-562-1338.
April 2 & 3, 2009 – Project Webfoot and Flying WILD, Sugar Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm both days.
Join Indiana Projects WET and WILD for a two-day workshop featuring Project Webfoot and Flying WILD, wetlands and bird curricula for educators grades 4-6. The workshop will include an overview of Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area, trips to sites on the property, and discussions on how to plan a field trip to the property for your students. Through a generous sponsorship by Ducks Unlimited, participants will receive curriculum materials ($300 value) and lunch both days at no cost. This workshop is FREE, however pre-registration is required. To register, contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or

317-562-1338.

April 17 & 18, 2009 – Project Webfoot and Flying WILD, Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm both days.
Join Indiana Projects WET and WILD for a two-day workshop featuring Project Webfoot and Flying WILD, wetlands and bird curricula for educators grades 4-6. The workshop will include an overview of Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, trips to sites on the property, and discussions on how to plan a field trip to the property for your students. Through a generous sponsorship by Ducks Unlimited, participants will receive curriculum materials ($300 value) and lunch both days at no cost. This workshop is FREE, however pre-registration is required. To register, contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or

317-562-1338.

April 29, 2009 – Healthy Water Healthy People, McCormick’s Creek State Park Nature Center, Spencer, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Healthy Water Healthy People is a curriculum from the developers of Project WET focused on raising awareness and understanding about water quality and its relationship to personal, public and environmental health. This workshop will help educators address science and health standards through interactive activities that interpret water quality concepts and promote diverse learning styles with foundations in the scientific method. This FREE workshop will focus on water monitoring concepts utilizing Riverwatch methods. Participants will receive both the Healthy Water Healthy People Educator’s Guide and Field Monitoring Manual (a $40 value). To register, please contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or

317-562-1338.

June 22, 2009 – Healthy Water Healthy People, NREC Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, 9:00am – 4:00 pm
Healthy Water Healthy People is a curriculum from the developers of Project WET focused on raising awareness and understanding about water quality and its relationship to personal, public and environmental health. This workshop will help educators address science and health standards through interactive activities that interpret water quality concepts and promote diverse learning styles with foundations in the scientific method. This FREE workshop will focus on water monitoring concepts utilizing Riverwatch methods. Participants will receive both the Healthy Water Healthy People Educator’s Guide and Field Monitoring Manual (a $40 value). To register, please contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or

317-562-1338.

October 15, 2009 – Healthy Water Healthy People, TBD, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Healthy Water Healthy People is a curriculum from the developers of Project WET focused on raising awareness and understanding about water quality and its relationship to personal, public and environmental health. This workshop will help educators address science and health standards through interactive activities that interpret water quality concepts and promote diverse learning styles with foundations in the scientific method. This FREE workshop will focus on water monitoring concepts utilizing Riverwatch methods. Participants will receive both the Healthy Water Healthy People Educator’s Guide and Field Monitoring Manual (a $40 value). To register, please contact nrec@dnr.in.gov or

317-562-1338.

Project WILD
February 27: Flying WILD Workshop, Ox Bow County Park, Elkhart. 9:30 am—3:00 pm. Similar in format to Project WILD, these activities focus on bird ecology, behavior and basic identification in the field (www.flyingwild.org). To register, contact Krista Daniels at (574) 535-6458 or at krista@elkhartcountyparks.org by February 13. Cost is $10.

March 13: Project WILD Basic Workshop, Dunes Learning Center in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Chesterton. 9:30 am—3:30 pm EST. This 6-hour workshop for teachers k-12 uses hands on activities to introduce fundamental wildlife and ecology concepts (see www.projectwild.org).
Participants will receive two activity guides upon completion of the program. To register, contact the Dunes Learning Center at (219)395-9555 by Friday, March 6. Free.

March 19: Projects WET AND WILD Basic Workshop, Limberlost State Historic Site, Geneva, 8:30 am—4:30 pm. Get two in one day! Participants will receive training in both projects and will receive three activity guides upon completion of the workshop. As a special bonus, participants will receive a complimentary copy of A Girl of the Limberlost (2009 is the 100th anniversary!) and optional tour of the Limberlost cabin. To register, contact the NREC at 317-562-1338 or at nrec@dnr.in.gov

March 24: WILD Basic Workshop, Ft. Wayne Kids Zoo, Fort Wayne, 9:00 am—3:00 pm.
This 6-hour workshop for teachers k-12 uses hands on activities to introduce fundamental wildlife and ecology concepts (see www.projectwild.org). This workshop will feature some special guests (critters!) from the zoo as well as ideas for using WILD activities at a zoo. To register, contact Beth Wood at the zoo at 260-427-6809 or at education@kidszoo.org by March 10. Lunch is provided. Free.

April 2009: Project Webfoot and Flying WILD. This workshop will be offered at two sites in 2009.

April 2-3 Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area, Winslow. 8:30 am—3:00 pm EST
April 17-18 Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, Morocco. 8:30 am—3:00 pm CST

Join Indiana Projects WET and WILD for a workshop featuring Project Webfoot and Flying WILD, wetlands and bird curricula for educators. Project Webfoot is a wetlands education program that includes the WOW! The Wonder of Wetlands Educators’ Guide. Project Webfoot curriculum and materials include background information, lessons, and techniques for teaching about wetlands. For more information about Project Webfoot and to view a list of materials included in the educator kit, please visit www.projectwebfoot.org. Flying WILD provides an introduction to bird biology, identification and migration. All curricula employ hands-on activities that can be used in the classroom or outside. The workshop will include an overview of the property, trips to sites on the property, and discussions on how to plan a field trip for your students. Through a generous sponsorship by Ducks Unlimited, participants will receive curriculum materials ($300 value) and lunch at no cost. To register, contact the NREC at 317-562-1338 or at nrec@dnr.in.gov.

June 19: All Fish All Day: Project WILD Aquatic and Go FishIN Workshop, Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. This workshop will focus on fish the entire day! Using activities from the Project WILD Aquatic Curriculum Guide as well as those from the Go FishIN program, we will touch on fish biology, stewardship, aquatic ecology and outdoor ethics. Participants will also have a chance to learn and practice basic fishing skills at beautiful Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will receive the Project WILD Aquatic Guide and the Go FishIN manual. To register contact the NREC at 317-562-1338 or at nrec@dnr.in.gov by June 11. Free.
June 20: WILD for Home School Educators and Scout Leaders, Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, Salamonie Reservoir, Andrews, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. This workshop is designed for Home School Educators and Scout Leaders. In the morning, Home School Educators and Scout Leaders will complete the Project WILD teacher training session while their children participate in activities led by property interpretive staff. In the afternoon, kids and parents will team up to allow them to conduct activities from the WILD curriculum. For more information on Project WILD, see www.projectwild.org. To register, contact the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at 260-468-2127 or email uwnatdnr@dnr.in.gov by June 11. Cost: $2 per person. June 24: Project Wild for Middle/Secondary Educators: Diving deeper into the connection between literacy and environmental education, Butler University, Indianapolis, 9 am—4 pm. When it comes to reading for class, many students are swimmers, not divers. They skim the surface of the text and never dive deeper for meaningful connections in the curriculum. Using content area reading strategies improves student's reading comprehension and motivation to read (Tovani, 2001; Fisher, Brozo, Frey & Ivey, 2007) by providing a safe way to go deeper. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to read a variety of challenging texts from their content area while being supported in their dive deeper into ecology concepts. Participants will leave the session with specific "before", "during" and "after" reading strategies, as well as hands-on and engaging Project WILD activities to try out for the next ‘Monday morning’ class. The facilitators for the workshop are Professors Meredith Beilfuss and Shelly Furuness, Butler University College of Education. This workshop is free, and lunch will be provided. To register contact the NREC at 317-562-1338 or at nrec@dnr.in.gov by June 17.
July 2009 (dates listed below): Monarchs, Monitoring, Milkweed and Migration!

Hands-on training for anyone interested in monarch butterflies or monarch monitoring projects for home, schools or parks. Learn about the life cycle of an individual monarch traveling from Indiana to the mountains of Mexico and back to the United States, highlighting the threats to this migration phenomenon. Using live monarch eggs, larvae and adults, identify all stages of a monarch's life cycle and tag adult butterflies. Develop strategies for creating Monarch Waystations and experiment with monarch curriculum for grades K-8. Conducted by Ann Richardson, Indiana trainer for the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, a citizen science project developed at the University of Minnesota. To register, contact the NREC at 317-562-1338 or at nrec@dnr.in.gov. Free.

Tuesday, July 14: Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis. 9 a.m.— 4 p.m.

Registration deadline: Monday, July 6

Saturday, July 18: Limberlost State Historic Site, Geneva. 9 a.m.— 4 p.m.

Registration deadline: Thursday, July 9

Wednesday, July 22: Winamac Fish and Wildlife Area, Winamac. 9 a.m.— 4 p.m.
Registration deadline: Monday, July 13
Saturday, July 25: Howell Wetlands, Evansville. 9 a.m.— 4p.m.
Registration deadline: Thursday, July 16
Thursday, July 30: Clifty Falls State Park, Madison. 9 a.m.— 4 p.m.
Registration deadline: Wednesday, July 22

August (date to be announced): WILD Day at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis. Look for more information spring 2009 or contact Mary Hayes, Project WILD at 317-549-0348.

October 9: Project WILD Basic Workshop, Kirkendall Nature Center, Kokomo. 9 am—4 pm. This 6-hour workshop for teachers k-12 uses hands on activities to introduce fundamental wildlife and ecology concepts (see www.projectwild.org). To register, contact the NREC at 317-562-1338 or at nrec@dnr.in.gov by October 2. Free.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 9:31 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Saturday, 31 January 2009

Dr. Tyrone Hayes speakes in NY, Union College
Mood:

special
Topic: Places to go

Integrative biologist to speak at the Nott Wednesday

Tyrone Hayes, an integrative biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, whose research focuses on the role of steroid hormones in amphibian development,will speak on “From Silent Spring to Silent Night” Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.

Hayes’ talk is the second in the 2009 Environmental Science, Policy and Engineering Winter Seminar Series, “Achieving Environmental Sustainability: The Role of U.S. Higher Education.”

Next up is Geoff Garver, an environmental consultant and lecturer in law at Laval University, Quebec, speaking on “Right Relationship: Building a Whole Earth Economy” (Feb. 11).

James Howard Kuntsler, urban planning expert, social critic, journalist and author of “The Geography of Nowhere, The Long Emergency” and other books, will conclude the series with his talk on “Urban Planning, Design, Peak Oil and Sustainability” (Feb. 18).

All talks are free and open to the public.

Nott Memorial at Union College

Union College | 807 Union St. | Schenectady, NY 12308 | 518 388-6000

This is a MUST see presentation. I saw it at the Midwest PARC meeting in 2006, it was the best presentation I have ever seen. It was not just very well researched material that was both interesting and terrifing, but it was so well presented. Dr. Hayes is tops in his field, and a hero to amphibian conservers such as myself. Some Video Links. Here is a photo taken at the 2006 meeting in Carbondale, IL.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 8:55 PM EST

Updated: Saturday, 31 January 2009 9:45 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Amphibian Conservation Award Announcement
Mood:

incredulous
Topic: Places to go

www.savethefrogs.com

Dear SAVE THE FROGS! Supporter,
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for a $500 SAVE THE FROGS! Conference Travel Grant. This grant will be awarded to a highly qualified graduate student to present a lecture on their amphibian research at the Joint Meeting of Herpetologists and Ichthyologists in Portland, OR this July. Applicants will be judged on the quality and conservation value of their research, and on demonstrated financial need. To learn more about this and other SAVE THE FROGS! awards, please visit http://savethefrogs.com/awards/index.html

Can you help us fund awards, grants and scholarships for valuable amphibian conservation research? Your donation of even $10 goes a long way towards helping us SAVE THE FROGS!

Donate $10 or higher and we’ll send you a free savethefrogs.com bumper sticker.

You can donate securely here: http://savethefrogs.com/donate/index.html

Thanks for your support, and please spread the word!
Kerry

***********************************************
Dr. Kerry Kriger
SAVE THE FROGS! Nonprofit Organization
Founder, Executive Director & Chief Ecologist
www.savethefrogs.com
www.savethefrogs.com/kerrykriger.html

P.O. Box 2145
Centreville, VA 20122 USA
kerry@savethefrogs.com

"All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days...but let us begin." -- John F. Kennedy

................................................................
Nearly 2,000 of the world's amphibian species are threatened with extinction and at least 150 species have entirely disappeared since 1979. SAVE THE FROGS! (www.savethefrogs.com) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to amphibian conservation.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 6:51 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Friday, 30 January 2009

Frog Weather Man?
Mood:

surprised
Topic: Places to go

Punxsutawney who? Snohomish frog knows weather
Snohomish Slew, amphibian meteorologist, is warming up -- literally -- for his prediction at Snohomish's GroundFrog Day on Saturday.

Frognosticator

GroundFrog Day is set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ferguson Park's National Guard Armory Building, 1330 Ferguson Park Road, Snohomish. Slew's prediction is around 11:30 a.m.

More details are at 360-568-2526 and www.cityofsnohomish.com .

Now thats something you don't see everyday!

You don't need a weathered Frog to know which way the wind blows!

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 12:20 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Frog and Toad INAMP Training Workshop in INDY Feb 7
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Workshop on frogs/toads at Fort Harrison State Park, Feb. 7

These trainings are great to learn about frogs and toads, or as a refresher for those that already know. Its great to also meet other people with similar interests in helping our amphibians. Plus a great opportunity to take a break from cabin fever and think about spring. I am hoping to attend the workshop at Fort Harrison. The other two workshops are at Salamonie Lake on Feb 28 and Spring Mill on Mar 1. Both are also from 2-4 pm EST.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 9:18 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

32nd annual Herpetology Conference and 6th annual Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go
Please join us for the 32nd annual Herpetology Conference and 6th annual Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference to be held at the Paramount Plaza Hotel and Suites in Gainesville, Florida! March 28-29, 2009.

Visit http://www.
flmnh. ufl. edu/herpetology/herpsconference/afhc. htm for information regarding abstract submission and registration info.

Hope to see you there!

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 11:48 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

Monday, 26 January 2009

Dart Frog Show in Arizona
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

American Frog Day

March 14th, 2009

American Frog Day is one of the longest running captive Dendrobatid shows in the United States. It focuses on assisting scientific study and the captive maintenace of Dendrobatid frogs and other amphibians through the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of captive husbandry and breeding. This year's show is being held in Mesa, AZ, and will be hosted by Arizona Dendrobate Ranch.

www.frogday.org

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 8:09 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Cricket Frog Lecture in NY
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Northern cricket frog subject of lecture

I wish I lived closer, it sounds like it will be a good one!

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 7:47 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Saturday, 24 January 2009

CANCELLATION NOTICE: JAN 28th Wednesdays in the Wild program
Mood:

sad
Topic: Places to go

CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENT:

Because of a family tragedy, the JAN 28th Wednesdays in the Wild program, Easy Moss ID, has been cancelled.

THANKS,
Joan
567-7023
____________________

JAN 28 7-9pm Easy Moss ID - indoor program at Lilly Nature Center*
Presenter: Sally Weeks, Purdue Dendrologist and co-author of Native Trees of the Midwest
Sally says that certain mosses have very characteristic clues to their identity, so she will focus on what she considers to be the moss species which are easy to identify!

*Lilly Nature Center: in Celery Bog Nature Area on the north side of Lindberg Rd between Northwestern & McCormick in West Lafayette.

For more information about Wednesdays in the Wild programs, contact:
- Mary Cutler: (765) 567-2993
- Joan Mohr Samuels: (765) 567-7023 or mohrsamuels@comcast.net
- Brian Tunis: btunis@westlafayette.in.gov

The programs are sponsored by:
Mary Cutler - Naturalist for Tippecanoe Co. Park & Rec Dept
Brian Tunis - Natural Resources Dir. for WL Parks & Rec Dept
Sycamore Audubon Society
West Central Chapter of INPAWS (Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society)
NICHES Land Trust

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 10:54 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Monday, 19 January 2009

Cricket Frog Presentation - Orange County NY
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

JAY WESTERVELD TO DISCUSS NORTHERN CRICKET FROG JAN. 27

1/13/2009

Founder of New York Natural History Council to Discuss Species Ecology, Decline and Recovery Strategies

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Jay Westerveld, founder of the New York Natural History Council, will offer insights into the unique ecology, startling decline and recovery strategies of the Northern Cricket Frog when he lectures at SUNY Orange’s Gilman Center for International Education at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27.

In the face of worldwide amphibian decline, Orange County’s cricket frog serves as an acute, local example of a staggering global crisis, and may present a recovery model for protecting the vast numbers of amphibians worldwide. Admission to Westerveld’s presentation is free. The event, scheduled in conjunction with the College’s new “Global Initiative: Sustaining the Earth,” is sponsored jointly by Global Initiative committee and the College’s Biology Department.

The remaining populations of the Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans), reside only in the Mid-Hudson region. The largest and healthiest population thrives in Orange County, at the county-owned Glenmere reservoir lands. The cricket frog’s peculiar behaviors include a fascinating overland migration each spring and autumn, spanning several habitat-types—a behavior which may hold clues to the cause of its decline.

Westerveld founded the New York Natural History Council as a non-profit/non-advocacy research and education organization dedicated to the study of New York’s natural sciences.

For more information on the lecture, contact Dr. Jennifer Merriam, SUNY Orange biology professor, at (845) 255-3217. To learn more about “Global Initiative: Sustaining the Earth,” visit the College’s web site at www.sunyorange.edu/gi.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:28 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Saturday, 17 January 2009

Amphibian Monitoring Training in Southern Illinois
Mood:

sharp
Topic: Places to go

Audible surveys to be conducted on frog, toad populations in Cache River Wetlands

BY THE SOUTHERN

Saturday, January 17, 2009 6:12 AM CST

Four times between February and June, volunteers gear up with rubber boots, thermometers, clip boards and data sheets and venture out into the evening to conduct frog and toad audible surveys in the Cache River watershed.

This is part of a statewide monitoring program to learn more about the population trends of Illinois’ frogs and toads (anurans). Come to a volunteer orientation for new and previous volunteers at Cache River State Natural Area, Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center on Saturday, January 31 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. to learn more about the ecology and status of the 15 frog and 4 toad species in southern Illinois and how to get involved with this monitoring program.

Call 618-657-2064 for information and to register.

Here is another similar article with a little more info.

Orientation offered for frog and toad survey volunteers

One of the frogs they say is declining in that area is the Northern Cricket Frog. Here is a photo of one I took near Carbondale in September 2006 at the MWPARC meeting.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 10:40 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Newer | Latest | Older

Travelocity.com Coupons