Michael Starkey
Oakland, California, USA
starkey@savethefrogs.com
Bio
Mr. Starkey has worked as an ecological consultant for environmental consulting firms and government agencies such as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish & Game. He has worked with a wide diversity of California wildlife, including California Tiger Salamanders, San Francisco Garter Snakes, Giant Garter Snakes, bats, and ringtails. He has also worked at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, studying larval development and parental behavior of the neo-tropical frog, Leptodactylus insularum. After witnessing the result of widespread extinction of amphibians in the Panamanian rainforest, Mr. Starkey became dedicated to conserving amphibian species around the world. Mr. Starkey began volunteering with SAVE THE FROGS! in 2010 to inform the public about the threats facing amphibians and to to help nurture a society that respects and cherishes all forms of wildlife. Mr. Starkey serves as Chairman of the Advisory Committee. In this position, he rallies together scientists, volunteers, and others in order to help broaden SAVE THE FROGS’ mission of conservation. Mr. Starkey regularly gives lectures on amphibian conservation at universities, schools, and to public interest groups. You can view Mr. Starkey's CV here.
My 2011 SAVE THE FROGS! Accomplishments
Some of my efforts in 2011:
--I gave 23 presentations on amphibian conservation at California universities, schools, and community groups, to a total of 1,168 attendees. As part of the San Francisco Tadpole Headstart Project, I spoke to 755 elementary school students about amphibian ecology and the threats facing amphibians around the world.
--I helped restore habitat for the threatened California Red-legged Frog at Antonelli Pond.
--I personally collected over 600 signatures to ban the harmful pesticide Atrazine, which is used heavily in the United States and has been found to change male frogs into females.
--I raised $3,200 for SAVE THE FROGS! at informational tables and lectures I gave.
Help Fund My July 2012 Expedition to Belize
I am returning to Belize in July 2012 to spread the word about amphibian declines and educate Belize kids about frogs and their importance to our environment. You can read about my very successful January 2012 trip to Belize here. These travels are paid primarily out of my own pocket, so I am asking you to help me fund my amphibian conservation efforts in Belize! Help fund my SAVE THE FROGS Belize expedition!
This is a Foam Frog (Leptodactylus fragilis) I found on my January 2012 expedition to Belize.
My Meeting With Dr. Jane Goodall
In October 2011 I was fortunate to meet primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall at the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo in San Francisco. The conference aims to bring more awareness to conservation efforts around the world and I was running a SAVE THE FROGS! informational table. Dr. Goodall was the keynote speaker.
There were many talks about larger, more charismatic species (e.g. Ethiopian wolves, marine mammals, apes) but Save The Frogs! was able bring awareness to the conference attendees about the many threats facing amphibian populations and how amphibians, just like wolves, whales, and pandas, need more conservation efforts around the world. It was an incredible experience to be among such great conservationists from around the world and we were able to meet so many other inspirational and interesting individuals.
During the conference, I had a young boy (perhaps 5 or 6) come up to my table with his mother and sister. He explained to me how much he loved his pet frog and wanted all the frogs to be saved. He then left, but soon returned to my table because he wanted to give me a photo of his pet frog. He wanted me to have it so that I would remember him, and his frog. I reassured him that I would and that I would hold his photo close to my heart. He even wanted to take a photo with me (and of course, a photo was taken). Later in the day, I had the amazing opportunity to meet Dr. Jane Goodall. I told her about this experience with the boy and asked her to sign the back of that photo. You see, as I get older and continue my work as an ecologist, activist, conservationist, whatever you want to call what I am… I have noticed that people have started to look up TO ME… Simply, I want to remain humble, and let them know how when I was young… I looked up to her. Teary-eyed, I thanked her for everything.
Image courtesy Tyler Shaw of Sharpmind Photography.
Oakland Zoo
With Cody Howard, photo by Casey Capachi
Website design, photos & content by Kerry Kriger unless otherwise noted.
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Michael Starkey