AMPHIBIAN MONITORING

Community scientists looking out for local amphibians

AMPHIBIANS OF WASHINGTON

 

Over the last several decades, amphibians – including frogs, toads, salamanders and newts – have experienced the highest rate of species decline among vertebrate animals. These losses have occurred due to impacts such as wetland loss, disease, pollutants, invasive species and climate change.

Community volunteers help collect scientific data by observing amphibians in local conservation wetland areas. Each year our Amphibian Monitoring volunteers log hundreds of observations of amphibians across western Washington in the iNaturalist online collection of biodiversity observations. iNaturalist is a global community of people who assist conservation efforts by recording observations of organisms and share them with each other to gain a better understanding of the natural world.

 

What are we looking for?

We’re monitoring for eight different species of frogs, toads and salamanders:

 

Western toad

Rough-skinned newt

Northwestern salamander

Long-toed salamander

Red-legged frog

Pacific treefrog

Oregon spotted frog

American bullfrog Invasive!

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

 

Local Communities Contributing to Global Conservation

Each year since 2012, approximately 75 volunteers have monitored 17 sites for evidence of breeding amphibians. Volunteers log data in the Amphibians of Washington project on iNaturalist, where project curators verify the observations. These observations help us understand where our local amphibians are – and aren’t – breeding across the region.


Take a look at what our community scientists accomplished!


2024 Report 2023 Report 2022 Report 2021 Report 2020 Report

 

 

Hope for Native Amphibians




Community Volunteers


Volunteers are trained to identify egg masses of eight species of frogs, toads, newts and salamanders. This includes the Oregon spotted frog, a state endangered species, and the American bullfrog, an invasive species that negatively impacts other amphibians.



Supporting Local Habitats


A majority of Amphibian Monitoring community scientists report increased appreciation for local amphibians and their wetland site as a result of their participation.



Scientific Data


Verified observations from the Amphibians of Washington iNaturalist project are rolled into the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, an international organization that makes scientific data on biodiversity broadly available via the Internet.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

 

Want to get involved?

Amphibian monitoring training is an exciting opportunity to get hands-on experience with amphibian conservation while increasing your connection to local ponds and wetlands and contributing to authentic scientific research.

Registration is currently open for the 2025 season.

Spots are limited. Fill out our interest form to receive full registration details!

Sign up here

 

MORE WAYS TO HELP

 

Our Mission

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

Land Acknowledgment

Woodland Park Zoo recognizes that these are the lands of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott. We acknowledge their stewardship of this place continues to this day and that it is our responsibility to join them to restore the relationship with the living world around us.


5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103   |  206.548.2500  |   zooinfo@zoo.org


Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Humane Certification