As nature lovers wait patiently for spring weather to emerge in Connecticut, January and February are perfect months to become a Citizen-Scientist volunteer and participate in a FrogWatch census in area wetlands. This year, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown is inviting readers to celebrate the season by taking action and engaging in conservation in their own communities.

FrogWatch USA is a nationwide effort dedicated to collecting information about frog and toad populations, raising awareness about amphibians and wetlands, and involving the public in science. For over two decades, FrogWatch USA volunteers have collected data on the frogs and toads heard calling in their local wetlands every spring.

Why frogs? Frogs, toads, and other amphibians play an important role in the health of wetland ecosystems, but more than a third of the world’s amphibian species are currently facing the largest mass extinction event since the dinosaurs. Even in the United States, previously abundant amphibian populations have experienced dramatic declines. In fact, recent studies have found that 41 percent of amphibian species across the globe are threatened. Now more than ever conservation efforts are needed to protect these species, and participating in FrogWatch USA is a great opportunity to be part of that work. The data collected by FrogWatch USA volunteers can be used to help understand how amphibian populations are changing over time and can inform conservation and management efforts. Furthermore, learning to recognize and identify the frogs and toads calling at night is rewarding in itself and lets one appreciate their community and local wetlands in a whole new way.

Bridget Cervero, associate director of education at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is excited to help share all FrogWatch has to offer.

“FrogWatch is a really fun program. Frogs and toads have unique calls, and volunteers are trained to identify species by listening for these different calls,” she said. “Once trained, volunteers are asked to visit a wetland of their choosing through the spring and summer and report what species they hear.”

FrogWatch Training

For those looking to expand their knowledge on amphibians, free FrogWatch training is available through the Peabody-Beardsley-Maritime FrogWatch chapter. Participants will learn about citizen science, the important role amphibians play in the ecosystem, and how to identify ten species of frogs heard in Connecticut.

Volunteers participating in FrogWatch USA do not have to be frog or toad experts to make important contributions. For those in Connecticut looking for hybrid or in-person training, however, sessions are available through the Peabody-Beardsley-Maritime FrogWatch Chapter on Wednesday, February 7. A 90-minute virtual session will begin that evening at 7 pm.

A hybrid in-person and virtual session is also planned for Monday, March 4, also beginning at 7 pm.

After the training, participants will be sent a virtual assessment they need to complete in order to become a certified FrogWatch Volunteer.

Interested parties can register at e.givesmart.com/events/Az0/

FrogWatch In Newtown

Whether an official Citizen-Scientist or simply a nature and frog enthusiast, The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary invites ages 10 and up to a free FrogWatch field study at Dickinson Park on Friday, April 12, from 7:30-9 pm.

In partnership with the Peabody-Beardsley-Maritime FrogWatch Chapter, the event is the perfect opportunity to listen, monitor and identify native frogs who call Newtown home. It is also a great chance to get outdoors while collecting important data that will help protect wetlands and local frog and toad populations.

Space is limited and registration is required; visit cvhfoundation.org/event.