The Akron Zoo has been appointed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as the new managing organization for national conservation program, FrogWatch USA. FrogWatch is a citizen science program where volunteers track calls of local frogs and toads for a national database.
The data collected through FrogWatch volunteers is used in the development of environmental protection and conservation strategies for amphibians.
Frogs and toads are an important part of the ecosystem. Amphibians are considered “indicator species,” which are species that signal the environmental health of a habitat. Amphibians are experiencing a sharp decline in population numbers, with more than 2,000 species threatened with extinction.
“I am excited to help with the conservation of amphibians and to work with citizen scientists across the country. It is an honor that AZA chose us to continue the management of this vital program,” said Carrie Bassett, education mission manager at the Akron Zoo and new FrogWatch USA manager.
“I am honored that the team at the Akron Zoo was selected by AZA to lead FrogWatch USA,” said Doug Piekarz, president & CEO at the Akron Zoo. “Monitoring frogs and other amphibians is crucial to sustaining wetland populations across the country and the work done by FrogWatch USA provides our communities an opportunity to engage in real life conservation and science while working to save species right in our own back yard!”