BRODHEAD - The Lower Sugar River Watershed Association and members of the south central chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union began to survey the frog and toad populations along the Lower Sugar River on April 15.
Fourteen volunteers formed two groups to survey 10 sites beginning at the Decatur Albany wetlands in the north and meandering south through the Avon Bottoms. The survey sites were identified by the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey.
The WFTS is a volunteer-based program coordinated by the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program. The primary purpose of the WFTS is to determine the status, distribution and long-term population trends of Wisconsin's 12 frog species.
The WFTS was initiated in 1981 in response to known and suspected declines in several Wisconsin species, particularly northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens), Blanchard's cricket frogs (Acris blanchardi), pickerel frogs (Lithobates palustris) and American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). The WFTS began annual statewide surveys in 1984 and is now one of the longest-running amphibian monitoring projects in North America.
The surveys take place three times annually: early spring, late spring and summer. At each site, volunteers identify the species calling and record an estimate of abundance.
During the early spring survey, five species of frogs were identified in the Lower Sugar River: Boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata), spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), northern leopard frogs, pickerel frogs and green frogs (Lithobates clamitans).
Anyone wanting to learn more about local frog and toad species may join the survey team. No prior experience or knowledge is required. Volunteers will be trained how to identify the species by call and how to estimate abundance. Contact Bethany Storm, program director for LSRWA, at programdirector@lsrwa.org or 630-770-8446 to volunteer.
The LSRWA is a not-for-profit conservation organization located in Brodhead and. It is dedicated to the care and enjoyment of water resources and to empowering citizens with experience and knowledge to steward land and water resources in the Lower Sugar River Watershed. Visit www.lsrwa.org, email info@lsrwa.org or call 608-897-8641 to learn how to support the organization and to become a volunteer.
Fourteen volunteers formed two groups to survey 10 sites beginning at the Decatur Albany wetlands in the north and meandering south through the Avon Bottoms. The survey sites were identified by the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey.
The WFTS is a volunteer-based program coordinated by the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program. The primary purpose of the WFTS is to determine the status, distribution and long-term population trends of Wisconsin's 12 frog species.
The WFTS was initiated in 1981 in response to known and suspected declines in several Wisconsin species, particularly northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens), Blanchard's cricket frogs (Acris blanchardi), pickerel frogs (Lithobates palustris) and American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). The WFTS began annual statewide surveys in 1984 and is now one of the longest-running amphibian monitoring projects in North America.
The surveys take place three times annually: early spring, late spring and summer. At each site, volunteers identify the species calling and record an estimate of abundance.
During the early spring survey, five species of frogs were identified in the Lower Sugar River: Boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata), spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), northern leopard frogs, pickerel frogs and green frogs (Lithobates clamitans).
Anyone wanting to learn more about local frog and toad species may join the survey team. No prior experience or knowledge is required. Volunteers will be trained how to identify the species by call and how to estimate abundance. Contact Bethany Storm, program director for LSRWA, at programdirector@lsrwa.org or 630-770-8446 to volunteer.
The LSRWA is a not-for-profit conservation organization located in Brodhead and. It is dedicated to the care and enjoyment of water resources and to empowering citizens with experience and knowledge to steward land and water resources in the Lower Sugar River Watershed. Visit www.lsrwa.org, email info@lsrwa.org or call 608-897-8641 to learn how to support the organization and to become a volunteer.
