Each spring for the past 35 years, a small army of citizen scientists head out into the darkness to survey seasonal wetlands, marshes, lakes, and rivers to help DNR conservation biologists document the breeding calls of frog and toads throughout Wisconsin. The opportunity has opened again.
Andrew Badje, the DNR conservation biologist who coordinates DNR's Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey, says April begins the new life for frogs and toads...
"...Frogs and toads are going through their spring ritual, especially males who will be calling in the females this spring and then breeding events will be happening all around us. With that comes the Frog and Toad survey, a citizen-based monitoring program that the DNR runs. We're looking for volunteers to monitor frog calls and helps us document trends across the state..."
Badje says volunteers can participate in three ways. One of which is driving along a set route for three nights, once each in early spring, late spring, and early summer. Volunteers make 10 stops per night and document the species heard and the relative abundance of each species. The Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey was launched in 1984 amid concerns of declining populations of several species of frogs. Through the survey, citizen scientists have helped DNR conservation biologists define the distribution, status, and population trends of all 12 frog and toad species in the state.
More information is on the DNR website.
