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Count Frogs As 'Citizen Scientists' For Beardsley Zoo, Maritime Aquarium

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.-- Want to count frogs? A census is about to kick off at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. 

A frog census is about to begin at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. "Citizen Scientists" are needed to count frogs in Fairfield County.

A frog census is about to begin at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. "Citizen Scientists" are needed to count frogs in Fairfield County.

Photo Credit: Frog Friends for Conservation on Facebook

Local residents are invited to become Citizen-Scientist volunteers for a “FrogWatch” census of area wetlands in their neighborhoods. 

The volunteers will make regular visits to wetlands and keep a frog log to record frog and toad calls they hear.

The census is a collaboration between the Zoo, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, and Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History.

Residents will get to work with frog experts and learn about the species, then visit wetlands once or twice a week for about 15 minutes each night in spring and summer.

The watches will begin a half hour after sunset, making it an ideal activity for families with older kids.

The observations will then go on a national online database to contribute to amphibian conservation efforts.

“FrogWatch USA is a wonderful way for us to engage a new generation of people interested in preserving animal habitats and conservation,” explained Jim Knox, education curator at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. 

“This program demonstrates how we can all play a part in protecting wildlife.”

Volunteers do not need experience or knowledge of frogs but must attend one of the following training sessions from 7 to 9 p.m.:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 22 (snow date is Feb. 22) at The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk
  • Wednesday, March 1 (snow date is March 3) at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, Hanson Center, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport 
  • Wednesday, March 8 (snow date is March 10) at Yale's Peabody Museum of Natural History, David Friend Hall, New Haven

Click here to sign up for the training.

Email Jim Sirch at james.sirch@yale.edu with questions.

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