FrogWatch USA is a flagship citizen science program sponsored by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) that invites individuals and families to learn about the wetlands in their communities and help conserve amphibians by reporting the calls of local frogs and toads.
Frogs and toads play an important role as both prey and predator in wetland ecosystems and are indicators of environmental health. Many previously abundant frog and toad populations have experienced dramatic population declines both in the United States and around the world, and it's essential that scientists understand the scope, geographic scale, and cause of these declines.
For more than 10 years, volunteers all over the country have been trained to enter their FrogWatch USA information, and ongoing analyses of these data have been used to help develop practical strategies for the conservation of these important amphibian species. FrogWatch USA volunteers learn to identify local frog and toad species by their calls during the breeding season and how to report their findings accurately. By mastering these skills, volunteers gain increased experience through asking and answering scientific questions which, in turn, augments science literacy, facilitates conservation action and stewardship, and increases knowledge of amphibians.