Save The Frogs Day - April 28th, 2009
Return to the main Save The Frogs Day webpage
The 1st Annual Save The Frogs Day was celebrated on April 28th, 2009. Forty educational Save The Frogs Day events took place in 15 countries: USA, Australia, Colombia, Canada, Italy, India, Croatia, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Portugal, Switzerland, Madagascar. Thanks to all who took part!
The Story of Save The Frogs Day
Read Jeremy Hance's interview with SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger, who conceived Save The Frogs Day one cold December night in 2008. The article appeared in Mongabay on the 1st Annual Save The Frogs Day, April 28th, 2009.
The Official Poster of Save The Frogs Day 2009
In commemoration of the 1st Annual Save The Frogs Day, we present this limited edition 18x24" print featuring amazingly cool frog art by Miss Leah Klehn, who conceived the SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contestwhen she was a senior in high school. All proceeds go to Save The Frogs' worldwide conservation efforts, so please order one now and help spread the word!
Official Declaration of Save The Frogs Day
We would like to thank Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia for officially recognizing the the 1st Annual Save The Frogs Day (April 28th, 2009). We also thank Mayor Gregor Robertson of Vancouver, British Columbia who has declared April 28th, 2009 Save The Frogs Day in Vancouver; and Chairman Corey Stewart who declared April 28th, 2009 as Save The Frogs Day in Prince William County, VA; and Mayor Harry Parrish who declared April 28th, 2009 as Save The Frogs Day in Manassas, VA.
By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:
SAVE THE FROGS DAY
WHEREAS, amphibians are in considerable peril here in Virginia, and nearly one-third of the world’s 6,468 amphibian species are threatened with extinction and at least 150 species have completely disappeared since 1979, and thus amphibians are the most threatened group of animals on Earth; and
WHEREAS, amphibians are critical components to our ecosystems, especially the Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and because amphibians provide ecosystem services to nature and to humans including (1) cleaning waterways by eating algae during their tadpole stage; (2) serving as a vital source of food to dragonflies, birds, fish, and reptiles, (3) consuming large quantities of ticks, mosquitoes and other pest species that serve as disease vectors that can transmit fatal illnesses to humans; and
WHEREAS,approximately 10% of Nobel prizes in physiology and medicine have resulted from investigations that used amphibians, and because when an amphibian species disappears, so does any promise it holds for improving human medicine; and
WHEREAS, amphibians face a multitude of threats including pollution, pesticides, habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, infectious diseases (the spread of which are facilitated by human activities), and over-harvesting for the pet, food and bait trades; and
WHEREAS, we believe in the right of children to see, hear and catch amphibians in their native habitat, and amphibian conservation efforts will not be successful without an educated and informed public;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine do hereby recognize April 28th, 2009 as SAVE THE FROGS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
Save The Frogs Day 2009 Events
Here's a partial recap of some of the events that took place on the 1st Annual Save The Frogs Day, April 28th, 2009.
Charlottesville, Virginia
April 28th, 7pm
SAVE THE FROGS! Founder & Executive Director Dr. Kerry Kriger discussed the threats to amphibians and the necessary actions that must occur in order to prevent further amphibian declines and extinctions. The presentation featured many of his photos of amphibians from around the world, and there was a question and answer session following the talk.
Location: Ivy Creek Natural Area Education Building
1776 Earlysville Road (off West Rio Road)The Ivy Creek Natural Area is located located ½ mile north of Summers Market on Earlysville Road (Route 743). View Map. This talk was hosted by the The Nature Conservancy and Ivy Creek Foundation.
Boulder, Colorado and surroundings
Ecosymposium: April 4th, University of Colorado, Boulder: “Complexity in Conservation: Unraveling the Causes of Amphibian Decline in Colorado” by Dr. Pieter Johnson (see attached flyer): open to the public
Biology Club: April 13th, University of Colorado, Boulder: “Amphibian Conservation Research across North and South America” by Robert Jadin and Sarah Orlofske (graduate students): open to CU students
Colorado Water Institute: April 16th, Colorado State University, Colorado Water Institute: “Amphibian Declines: Understanding Complexity in Conservation” by Dr. Pieter Johnson; see news coverage in http://www.today.colostate.edu/story.aspx?id=1171
CU Museum BioLounge: April 22nd, University of Colorado, Boulder: “Sick and Twisted: The Meaning Behind Malformed Frogs” by Dr. Pieter Johnson; open to the public (see attached flyer)
CU Museum BioLounge: April 22nd, University of Colorado, Boulder: “Worldwide Declines and Extinctions of Amphibians” by Dr. Cynthia Carey; open to the public (see attached flyer)
Ryan Elementary: April 29th, fourth grade classrooms, Louisville, Colorado: activity and discussion of frog declines and ways to help conserve them by Sara Hellmuth and Katie Dosch
Creekside Elementary: April 30th, fourth grade classrooms, Boulder, Colorado: discussion of frog declines and ways to help conserve them by Sara Hellmuth
Moore Elementary School - Kindergarten: April 28th. 10am-11am
SAVE THE FROGS! Advisory Committee member Dr. Erin Muths will be giving three free 20-minute lectures on the amphibian extinction crisis. This will be a PowerPoint presentation with many photos of amphibians from around the world. Topics will include the causes and extent of the problem, as well as ways to stop the population declines – all couched towards the young and young at heart.
Horizon High School - Dr. Lauren Livo spoke about amphibian extinctions to 11th and 12th graders in the ALPS program at Thornton, Colorado
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Mammoth Hotel's Map Room
Director of Environmental Affairs for Xanterra Parks and Resorts at Yellowstone, Beth Pratt gave a free 45-minute lecture on the amphibian extinction crisis. This was a PowerPoint presentation with many photos of amphibians from around the world, including a review of recent studies in Yellowstone. Topics included the causes and extent of the problem, as well as ways to stop the population declines. Talk was hosted by Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone. Free and open to the public.
Durham, NH
Location: University of New Hampshire, 329 Nesmith Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Daniel Hocking, a Ph.D. student studying amphibian ecology and conservation at the University of New Hampshire, gave a free 45-minute lecture on the amphibian extinction crisis. There were refreshments and there was a question and answer session after the talk. Talk was hosted by the UNH Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Free and open to the public.
Honolulu, Hawaii
SAVE THE FROGS! Advisory Committee Member Dr. Kevin Weng gave two presentations to a toal of 48 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Dr. Weng is a shark biologist by training, but it sounds like he'd be equally good saving the frogs every day: "Our students very much enjoyed our guest speaker and gained much knowledge from this presentation". "It was a terrific presentation!".
Indianapolis, Indiana
Holliday Park at 7pm.
Wendell Zetterberg, Jr., a Volunteer with FrogWatch USA, the Indiana Amphibian Monitoring Program, Hoosier Herpetological Society and SAVE THE FROGS! spoke at 7pm, Tuesday April 28th at Holliday Park about declining amphibians, globally and locally, including Indiana’s unique native frog and toad species, and why we should protect them.
Puerto Rico
Location: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras –Natural Sciences Faculty Anf. # 142, and Campus grounds.
There was a 40 min illustrated talk given by Dr. Rafael L. Joglar on the amphibians of Puerto Rico, with emphasis on the lowland coquis that one can observe in the San Juan Area. He discussed ways to identify all the species in Puerto Rico, the conservation problems that they face, and what you can do to help these animals. Afterwards, attendees divided into smaller groups led by other experts like Dr. Patricia Burrowes, Ana Longo, Andrés Rodríguez and other students from their lab, and went on guided nocturnal tours around campus to look for different amphibians, notice their calls, and observe them in their natural habitat. More info is available at http://proyectocoqui.org/
Talk was hosted by The University of Puerto Rico, Proyecto Coqui, UPR Environmental Education Student Organization, Sierra Club, and GEA-PR (a local Amphibian Specialist Group). Free and open to the public.
Gold Coast, Australia
Griffith University Lecture Theatre
"Global Amphibian Declines: Past, Present and Future"
SAVE THE FROGS! Board of Directors Member and Associate Lecturer Dr. Jean-Marc Hero presented an update on past declines, what is happening now, and what we need to do to protect frogs in the future. Dr. Hero is well recognised internationally as a leader in amphibian research. His frog research team at Griffith University are currently involved in species recovery (habitat restoration and captive husbandry), amphibian disease and the impacts of chytridiomycosis (a pathogenic fungus that is lethal to amphibians), and has recently formed a global research team to examine the impacts of climate change on amphibians. This seminar provides an overview of the current global amphibian declines, research at Griffith and how we can mitigate declines in the future.
Gold Coast, Australia
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary hosted a series of events on the 28th of April aimed at informing the community of the current alarming crisis regarding amphibian extinctions. The presentations revealed what is happening worldwide and what is being done locally to address the concerns.
Featuring SAVE THE FROGS! Board Member Dr. Jean-Marc Hero and renowned wildlife photographer Steve Parish.
Elanora, Queensland, Australia
Biologist Clay Simpkins of Griffith University conducted a total of nine presentations at Elanora State Primary School. This included three Year 2 classes, a Year 3 class and six Year 6 classes. Each class contained between 23 and 28 students. Says Clay: "Teachers from each class were also present. They all enjoyed it and the teachers agreed that they had learnt alot and that the information from the presentation would help in future lessons".
Brisbane, Australia
University of Queensland, Saint Lucia Campus
Danial Stratford (PhD candidate, Griffith University) gave a free 45-minute lecture on the amphibian extinction crisis. This will be a PowerPoint presentation with many photos of amphibians from around the world. Topics included the causes and extent of the problem, as well as ways to stop the population declines.
There was a question and answer session after the talk. Talk was hosted by Queensland Frog Society, University of Queensland and Griffith University. Free and open to the public.
Torino, Italy
Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via Giolitti, 36, Conference Room
The day was dedicated to the SAVE THE FROGS! events, and, in particular, to the presentation of the ACSAM (A Conservation Strategy for the Amphibians of Madagascar) and three related books published by the Turin Museum. In the morning there will be a technical table for the ACSAM project, while in the afternoon there will be the talks of Franco Andreone, Gerardo Garcia, Denis Vallan, Samuel Furrer, Angelica Crottini, Angus I. Carpenter, Gonçalo Rosa. Details can be found here. Talk is hosted by Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali
Johannesburg, South Africa
Location: Board Room at the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Head Offices located in The Gold Fields Environment Centre, Johannesburg Zoological Gardens, Erlswold Way, Parkview, South Africa.
Giant Bullfrog Project Executant and PhD student Caroline Yetman gave a free 1.5 hour lecture on the amphibian extinction crisis. Topics included the extent and causes of the crisis, recent international amphibian conservation campaigns, the conservation status of South Africa’s frogs, and time-permitting, a crash-course for recognizing the ten main types of frogs found in South Africa. Free & open to the public. A map to the venue is accessible on the EWT’s website. EWT contact person: Jo-Anne Schermeier: tel: +27 (11) 486 1102; e-mail: joannes@ewt.org.za.
St. Francis, South Africa
St Francis Conservancy hosted a Fun Evening at St Francis Links to support SAVE THE FROGS!. Warren Mansen gave a talk on his Frogging Safaris, Les Brent showed her ingenious methods of saving frogs from drowning in swimming pools, and Carolyn Greathead showed some of her exquisite pictures of local wildlife. Tuesday 28th April 6.00pm at the St Francis Links Clubhouse.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
David Thompson Secondary School, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Urban Ecologist and Architect, David Wong gave a free presentation on the amphibian extinction crisis, and the value of frogs in the urban environment. This was a PowerPoint presentation with many photos of amphibians from around the world, and a collection of the native Pacific treefrog, and representative species from several continents. Topics included the causes and extent of the problem, as well as ways to stop the population declines, and the importance of frogs to humans. Free and open to all students and their invited guests.
Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar
Centre d’interprétation, QMM, Mandena, Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar.
The conservation team of QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) gave a free lecture on the importance of amphibians to humans and the environment. This was a PowerPoint presentation with many photos of amphibians of Madagascar. Topics included the relationship between human, frogs and amphibians, as well as ways to stop the population declines. There was a question and answer session after the talk. Open to QMM employees.
Lisbon, Portugal
Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal
Talk description:
Dr. Eduardo Crespo gave a free 30-minute lecture on the history of herpetology in Portugal. Dr. Rui Rebelo gave a free 30-minute lecture on amphibian biology, ecology and diversity. Dr. Maria João Cruz gave a free 30-minute lecture on amphibian's main threats, focusing on the invasive crayfish P. clarkii. Dr. Lucília Tibério, from Lisbon Zoo, gave a free 30-minute lecture on amphibian ex-situ conservation. There was a question and answer session after the lectures. Free and open to the public.
St. Francis Bay - South Africa
To support this wonderful cause and create local awareness of the necessity to protect amphibians, St Francis Conservancy hosted a ‘Save the Frogs’ evening at St Francis Links. Carolyn Greathead provided a spectacular slide presentation of her magnificent wildlife pictures, including many of the resident and endangered frogs. Les Brent provided information on ‘Frog Ladders’ for swimming pools, which have proved invaluable in saving hundreds of frogs from drowning and Warren Manser gave a fascinating talk on his ‘Frogging Safaris’ which are conducted from The Dunes Country House. Joan Barnes created a charming poster to advertise our evening. Steyn from The Book and Sandra Hardie supported the cause with an abundance of environmental and identification books.
Habiganj, Bangladesh
Location: Sajahanpur Government Primary School, Teliapara. Hosted by Birds Bangladesh. The University of Chittagong joined in as well.
Read all about this event on the Birds Bangladesh Blog.
Report from Sayam Chowdhury: We visited Sajahanpur Government Primary School (the one nearest to Satchari). We said a few words on frog conservation and arranged a painting competition. We also translated frog conservation education materials to Bangla and distribute amongst teachers. We targeted 5th grade students; approximately 50 students participated in the painting competition and PowerPoint presentation."
"We have 34 species of amphibians in Bangladesh! To name one, the Htun Win's Tree Frog (Rhacophorus htunwini) was first discovered in Myanmar (2005), and outside Myanmar lives only in Satchari National Park and some other mixed evergreen forests of Bangladesh. Hence this frog has a global significance and can play the role of the “frog conservation ambassador” in Bangladesh."
Bhaktapur, Nepal
Location: Auditorium of Everest English School, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Rijan Tamrakar of Nepal gave a free 45-minute lectures on the amphibian extinction crisis. Altogether 77 students in class nine took part in the program. Ms. Beauty Pandey who attended the program then presented the knowledge she gained during the session in front of the whole school (school assembly) on 28th April, 2009 on the occasion of Save the Frogs Day.
Date: April 24th
Time: 11am-12am
Location: Auditorium of Khwopa College, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Talk description:
Rijan Tamrakar of Nepalgave a free 45-minute lectures on the amphibian extinction crisis. This was a PowerPoint presentations with many photos of amphibians from around the world. 31 students attended. Topics included the causes and extent of the problem, as well as ways to stop the population declines.There was a question and answer session after the talk. Talks were hosted by Everest School, Bhaktapur, Nepal, and by the Forum for Environment Management and Sustainable Development, Nepal (FEMSD, Nepal).
Guwahati, Assam, India
Help Earth, a volunteer organization dedicated to the conservation of nature and its resources, celebrated “Save The Frog Day” at the South Point School Environmental Club at Lakhiram Baruah Sadan, Guwahati. 140 students attended the event, which was organized to spread awareness regarding frogs and highlighted their importance for all the other life forms on the earth, with special reference to human beings. The highlights of the event were the photographic gallery containing pictures showing frog diversity of the region, and issues related to the threats pertaining to their conservation. A speech competition titled “Frogs and Us” was held where students from different schools of the city participated. Slide Shows were presented by eminent herpetologists Mr. Abhijit Das of Aaranyak and Mr. Prashanta Kr Choudhury of Don Bosco College of Engineering and Technology. Brochures containing information on frogs and their importance were also distributed. This event was covered by The Assam Tribune.
Please donate to help SAVE THE FROGS!
Your tax-deductible contribution will prevent amphibian extinctions through environmental education, scientific research, legal defense, and through the acquisition of critical amphibian habitat.
Save The Frogs Day Factoid
SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger conceived Save The Frogs Day one cold December night in Budapest.
Thanks for your support...Together we can SAVE THE FROGS!
Website design, photos & content by Kerry Kriger unless otherwise noted.
Copyright © 2008-2011 SAVE THE FROGS!TM All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use
SAVE THE FROGS! is a 501(c)(3) public charity, and
SAVE THE FROGS! is a registered trademark.
1st Annual Save The Frogs Day - 2009