FrogWatch USA™ is the AZA's flagship community science program that invites individuals, groups, and families to learn about wetlands in their community and help conserve amphibians by monitoring local frog and toad calls. Community science programs, like FrogWatch, provide a research collaboration between scientists and volunteers. It enables the everyday person to get involved in formal conservation efforts just by listening and learning in their own backyards.

Volunteers are the foundation of the FrogWatch USA™ community. The data that volunteers collect is used to view shifts in diversity, range, and breeding seasons. In turn, researchers use the data to identify areas of concern and assist in future conservation efforts and land management strategies.Amphibian populations have experienced worldwide decline over recent decades. Of the more than 6,000 species known to science, 168 have become extinct since 1980, and 43% of all amphibians are in decline. These statistics are quite alarming considering that amphibians naturally go extinct at a rate of one species every 500 years! Today more than ever there is a need to document the presence of healthy amphibian populations. With the help of dedicated chapters and volunteers FrogWatch USA™ is paving the way for frog and toad conservation.

You do not have to be a frog or toad expert to be a FrogWatch USA™ volunteer! To participate in the program volunteers must:

  • Have an interest in frogs and toads
  • Attend a free training session
  • Commit to monitoring the site you select for five minutes twice a week during the listening season, February 1st- August 31st.
  • Follow monitoring protocols

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo chapter is hosting 2021 training sessions on the dates listed. Volunteers interested in attending should complete the registration form below. Please send any questions to frogwatch@brzoo.org.

January 24th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Baton Rouge Zoo

Optional "Jeopardy" style trivia will follow each training session.