Amphibian Crisis
What every family can do to help protect amphibians!
Amphibians play an essential role in the ecosystems of the world. Adult amphibians prey on insects which can transmit diseases or feed on crops while the tadpoles of many species are herbivores or filter feeders improving the health of aquatic ecosystems. Because of their semi aquatic lifestyle and permeable skin, amphibians are more keenly attuned to changes in the environment than any other animals. Here are some ways that you and your family can help native frogs.
| Find books on frogs to discover why they sing loudly, hear well and stay up late | Check out an amphibian field guide from your local library and learn about the frogs in your area | Invite a bug-zapping amphibian into your backyard by placing an overturned pot as a home |  |
| Reduce the amount of waste your family produces by buying products with less packaging and taking your own bag to the store | Use water-saving devices in your home in areas such as your toilet, taps and shower head and turn off the water while you brush your teeth or do the dishes |  |
Save energy by turning off lights, radios and the TV when you are not using them |
| Use less chemical pesticides on your lawn to keep amphibians healthy |  |
Build a pond, plant native shrubs, and leave leaf litter and logs in your yard to create a habitat for frogs | Plan a family outing to a local pond to hear different species of frogs sing their love songs to one another |
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Have your school adopt a frog at your local zoo or nature center | Keep pets contained so that they don’t harm the amphibians near your home | Find natural alternatives to household chemicals so these toxins don’t end up in amphibian habitats |
| Ask a local naturalist to talk to your class about native amphibians or to take your class on a nature walk to a local pond |  |
Instead of capturing frogs from the wild for pets, observe their behavior in nature and allow them to continue their important work | Encourage your cafeteria to use reusable containers and recycled napkins |
| Make donations to a wildlife conservation group to adopt an acre of rainforest and help conserve amphibian populations | Look for frogs near your home, but don’t touch them. Chemicals from the soaps and lotions we use can hurt their delicate skin |  |
Plan an amphibian adventure to a zoo with your family. Zoos are a great place to see frogs from other countries like South America, Asia and Africa |
| Play the game leap frog with your class and each time you leap say one fact about frogs | Take part in a local pond or stream cleanup to ensure that native amphibians will have a clean home | Do a homework project and let your classmates know how important amphibians are to the environment |  |