Calling All Frog and Toad Lovers

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Leap like a frog into a conservation effort across the state, listen to their breeding calls this spring and summer.

This community-based frog calling program is the DNR’s Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey. It’s where volunteers help biologists better see where they are living, how their health is and population trends across the state.

“Our volunteers, lovingly known as ‘froggers,’ are important advocates for frogs and toads in Wisconsin,” said Andrew Badje in a DNR press release. Badje is a conservation biologist and the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey Coordinator. “They are the beating heart of frog monitoring and conservation in Wisconsin. They are why this survey is the longest-running community-based frog calling survey in North America.”

It started in 1984 and the DNR says there are a total of 12 different frog and toad species currently living here.

Here’s how you can volunteer:

• Phenology Survey: Best for beginners and staying in one spot, you’ll monitor when frogs and toads first start calling each spring. You’ll pick one wetland to watch for the frog calling season and gather information as often as possible for about five minutes per night. Learn more.

• Traditional Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey: Don’t want to spend that much time in one place? There’s a road-trip option! You will drive a pre-set route, three times. Once in early spring, then again late spring and one more time in early summer. You make 10 stops each night along that trip. At every stop you’ll get out of your car and listen for five minutes. Then write down the species you heard calling and how many you think there were of each. Volunteer here.

• Mink Frog Survey: Northern Wisconsin only! These Mink’s make noise during the day, mostly in June and early July. This program has you listen once during the day and once at night. You’ll be located along routes that are mink frog breeding areas. Sign up here.

For the past 40 years, the DNR says volunteers have collectively spent more than 10,500 nights surveying 103,400 sites across the state and have uncovered populations increasing for American bullfrogs and Blanchard’s cricket frogs.

The Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey and the reptile and amphibian conservation in Wisconsin are supported by the Endangered Resources Fund. You’ll notice this year that you can make a donation that fund on your Wisconsin income tax forms.