Office Hours - February 16th, 2021
SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger is joined by Mike Horton (Secretary of the Board of Directors of SAVE THE FROGS!) to answer a variety of questions about amphibians and environmental conservation.
Enjoy The Video!
Recorded live in Burlingame, CA on February 16th, 2021. Thanks to SAVE THE FROGS! Video Volunteer Nicholas Blackwood for his editing assistance.
Topics Discussed In The Video Include...
Emily Johnson-Erday (A Frog House):
“Here to ask about your annual art contest – requirements, logistics, how you began and what advice you have for an organization trying to hold one one of our own!”
Kara O.:
“To reduce roadway & subdivision runoff – what would be the best solution (native plants?) to help filter toxins before hitting the wetland area? We are loaded with invasives so we are looking to rip it all out but would like to replace with a filtering solution? Also, since we are in the very beginning process of restoring our wetland area, what are some baseline measurements to start with now to be able to measure our progress over time? Is there a water test kit we should use? We are acidic (6.5) and macroinvertebrates are leaches, invasive clams, etc.”
Nancy W.:
“Are there any plants and flowers that I could place in my yard near my toadhouse to encourage toads to come? Do they like the smell or shade of certain plants? It is almost spring and in March I will put out my toadhouse.”
Sara:
“My science background is some agriculture/nutritional biochemistry and the rest is biomedical science. What suggestions do you have for pursuing a career in ecology/conservation/environmental science. I currently do frog monitoring with the County Forest Preserve here and FermiLab natural areas.”
A.M. Rose:
“I’m a high schooler planning to study ecology and conservation in college. What can I do at this point to get experience or prepare for the field?”
Emily Johnson-Erday (A Frog House):
“Thank you so much, Dr. Kriger! Glad to have you as a resource for the marketing side of running a nonprofit 🙂 I have to run a bit early! Seeing the community here is always really encouraging to me – best of luck in your endeavors, everybody!! I’m so impressed and inspired by you <3 “
Kara O.:
“Does SAVE THE FROGS! have any biodiversity studies or citizen science programs? Something using an app like iNaturalist? Maybe a one-time bioblitz survey like Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird Count?”
Lana D.:
“I am a volunteer with my local amphibian and reptile group NARG. I also will be managing a toad patrol this coming season as it warms up in the UK Spring is on its way! I am very lucky to be a Save The Frogs Scholarship which I am currently living being a part of.”
Owen:
“What’s a frog count? How does it happen?”
Nancy W.:
“Is chytridiomycosis becoming less of a problem? Are there any other funguses that are becoming threats to amphibians in recent years?”
Lana D.:
“I would like information with helping me to see what the best route I can choose to become an amphibian conservationist.”
A.M. Rose:
“Thank you so much!! I appreciate all the information on college and volunteering. In my personal life my home is very close on the wetlands. I’ve become very interested in frogs, because of the Gray tree frogs and Fowler’s toads that come to our backyard pond. I’ve also found snake and turtles in my yard. I can’t control my home being so close to the wetlands, but how can I reduce the environmental impact we have on our wetlands?”
Suman S.:
“Namaste Dr. Kerry. I am thankful to SAVE THE FROGS! for providing me scholarship. What factors should be considered while carrying out acoustic survey of frogs?”
Kara O.:
“Do you have public literature for distribution that contains suggestions and/or guidance for making yards more amphibian-friendly?”
Lana D.:
“Thank you very much Kerry and Mike it means a lot all of your information.”
Owen:
“Can you talk about some of the challenges of running an environmental non-profit? Is it difficult to raise money?”
Kara O.:
“Do you have interest in hosting a ZOOM for students, elementary/middle school? Or homeschool families? Do you charge speaker fees?”
Sophia Liu frog art, 2020 SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest
