Volunteer Scientists Needed at Cosley Zoo

Cosley Zoo in Wheaton is seeking volunteers to help identify species diversity and population density of frogs and toads. Cosley Zoo is one of 127 FrogWatch USA Chapters.

FrogWatch USA was started in 1998 by the United States Geological Survey as a way for research scientists to study amphibians. In 2009, the program was adopted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums with the goal of increasing volunteer participation through the creation of local chapters that could provide volunteer training and assistance.

Since the program relies on volunteers, there is an opportunity to learn and participate in Wheaton.

There are two upcoming volunteer training sessions, fromr 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 22 and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, May 1.

“This program is important because volunteers get the opportunity to be the eyes and ears for scientists all over the country,” Jackie Boquist, Educator at Cosley Zoo, says. “Scientists cannot be everywhere, but with the help of FrogWatch volunteers, they can get a good idea of what’s going on with frog populations all over the United States.”

During the training, volunteers will learn to recognize and identify the breeding calls of frogs and toads in their local area. This information is then recorded in an online database, which can be accessed by other volunteers or by amphibian researchers. The database allows viewers to compare the types and approximate numbers of frogs and toads in a single location from month to month or even year to year, as well as observe the types of frogs and toads being heard in other sites around the country.

Of the 6,000 known amphibian species in the world, nearly one-third are now threatened with extinction, and at least 160 species have gone extinct in the past 100 years. The data collected by FrogWatch USA volunteers is extremely valuable in informing scientists of amphibian population trends.

Please call 630-665-5534 or e-mail Jackie Boquist jboquist@wheatonparks.org to sign up for a volunteer session. For more information about Cosley Zoo, visit cosleyzoo.org.

The above information was provided to Patch by Cosley Zoo.