Five For Frogs Campaign Launched

Do Something to Save Endangered Amphibians in the Next Five Months

© Dawn M. Smith

May 20, 2008
Grey Tree Frog on Cape Cod, Bruce Christopher
Five month effort to raise awareness and funds to prevent extinction of amphibians begins in May. Ways to join in the effort and learn about threats to frogs.

Amphibian Ark, whose motto is-"Keeping threatened amphibian species afloat"-is working to prevent the threatened extinction of nearly one-third of all species of amphibians. The job ahead of them is huge, especially since few people are even aware of how bad the situation is. This is where Five For Frogs comes in.

New species of frog are being discovered regularly. Many will face extinction without direct intervention by humans. With chytrid fungus devastating frog populations around the world, it has been necessary to initiate captive management and breeding programs for many amphibian species until a way to prevent the disease is found. This is the Ark in which the amphibians will float until they can be safely returned home.

While a quick look at the list of suggested Five for Frogs activities makes it clear that raising money to support their programs is an important part of this campaign, there are plenty of activities for children and adults, which will directly help local amphibian species without putting a dent in the wallet.

Protect Amphibians in Your Area

  • Create Certified Wildlife Habitat in 5 back yards in your neighborhood
  • Participate in the FrogWatch monitoring program with 5 friends
  • Write five letters in support of frogs to local and national newspapers and government leaders
  • Sign the Amphibian Ark petition-get five friends to join you

Teach Children About Frogs

  • Create an amphibian trivia contest and invite 5 families to play
  • Read five books about frogs to your child
  • Take your child and five friends to a natural history museum or zoo’s amphibian exhibits
  • Have a 5 Mile Ribbit Ride- a family bike ride listening to frogs in your area. Go home and learn their names.

Ways to Support the Amphibian Ark

  • Purchase 5 frog ringtones from Amphibian Ark’s AArk Shop
  • Collect loose change for 5 weeks and send it to them
  • Host a Sidewalk Chalk Art Show –five people’s five favorite frog drawings and a $.50 admission fee
  • Fill a jar with toy frogs and sell $5.00 chances to guess the number
  • Have a bake sale with frog shaped cookies at $.50 each

These are a few suggestions to support Amphibian Ark and its Five For Frogs campaign. More are listed on their website or create some of your own. The most important thing is to get the word out so more people understand the importance of frogs and other amphibians in a healthy ecosystem. And more of them support the efforts of their local zoos in their efforts to prevent amphibian extinction.


The copyright of the article Five For Frogs Campaign Launched in Endangered Species is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Five For Frogs Campaign Launched in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Frog on Flower, June Oka
Frog, Repaczki Andras
Grey Tree Frog on Cape Cod, Bruce Christopher
   


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