Roger Williams Park Zoo has a great lineup of events where people can learn more about the environment, and also get involved in hands-on conservation work. They are searching for volunteer “citizen scientists” to participate in its award-winning FrogWatch USA program to help monitor local amphibian species.
FrogWatch engages people in a fun and interactive training session that discusses this decline in amphibian populations, and the importance they have in ecosystems worldwide. Participants also learn how to tell frog species apart by their calls, and how monitoring a local population helps to protect them. After becoming a certified citizen scientist, budding conservationists then commit to monitoring a local amphibian habitat (such as a pond or lake) and collecting data on what they hear approximately once a week for about 15 minutes.
Though there don’t appear to be any immediate threats to the species found locally in New England, the monitoring and data collected through the FrogWatch USA program helps conservationists keep tabs on these populations and react to any decline much more quickly.
This program is perfect for families with older children who have an interest in animals and love the outdoors. Training sessions take place on March 3, 16 and 20 at the Zoo’s Education Center, and cost only $10 per participating household (up to two adults and two children) to cover training materials. Participants are only required to attend one session, and pass a test on identifying frog calls to be a certified FrogWatcher. Online registration is required.
Get details for this and other events and education programs at www.rwpzoo.org.
2016 Zoo Admission Prices: $14.95 adults; $12.95 seniors (62+); $9.95 children (2 - 12); toddlers age one and younger, and Zoo members are admitted for free.
Zoo hours: 10am – 4pm through March, then 10am – 5pm through September, with the last admission at one half hour before closing.
Roger Williams Park Zoo is a Macaroni Kid Cranston/Kent sponsor.
