Join The Frog Force - saving frogs

Ranger Rick, March, 1999

Frogs in trouble? You can help turn trouble around!

Frogs are facing hard times these days. Part of their problem is that they have to live in and around water. Their skin needs to stay moist and so do their eggs and young.

But wet areas everywhere are being replaced by homes, farms, roads, and malls. Or they're being polluted.

This might help to explain why there are a lot fewer frogs than there once were. In some places, they have disappeared altogether. In other places, they're turning up with missing, extra, or odd-shaped body parts. It's time for people to pitch in and help.

The National Wildlife Federation (the group that puts out Ranger Rick magazine) is doing just that. They teamed up with the U.S. government and with Martin and Chris from TV's "Kratts' Creatures." All together, they're telling kids about Frog Force. What's that? It's everyone who cares about frogs--cares enough to do something to help, that is!

There's a special Web site on the Internet that will tell you all you need to know to get involved. If you can't get on the Internet at home, try your school or a public library. The Web address is www.frogweb.gov, then click on Adopt a Frog Pond.

Here are a few of the Frog Force projects you'll learn about:

Froggie Hunting

You probably thought going on a frog hunt was simple and fun. Well, it is. But there's a RIGHT way to do it. First, learn the rules of proper frog "hunting." Then your hunt will be safe for the frogs, safe for you, and courteous to everybody else. Try out the activity on the next two pages for a good headstart.

Frogwatch

Learn to recognize your local frogs by their calls. (See "Tip 3" on the next page.) Then spend some time studying them during each breeding season. The information you gather will be added to information from other frog watchers all over the country.

Malformation Monitoring

That's just a fancy way to say "on the lookout for weird-looking frogs." If you ever find any in your area, scientists want to know about it. They're still trying to figure out exactly what's causing frogs to grow that way. Schoolkids in Minnesota were first to report this strange problem back in 1995. Since then, weird-looking frogs have been found in almost every state.

Backyard Wildlife Habitat TM

Make the land around your home or school frog friendly--and friendly to other wildlife too. One way is to build a frog pond where frogs, toads, and salamanders can come to live, find food, or breed. To find out more, try this Web site: www.nwf.org/habitats. Or write to Backyard Wildlife Habitat, Dept. Frog; 8925 Leesburg Pike; Vienna, VA 22184.