The Champaign County Forest Preserves has partnered with the Illinois Extension Unit 13 Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program to bring the FrogWatch USA Frog Call Monitoring Program to East Central Illinois!

We will provide training for this program on March 26, 2025, from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Illinois Extension Auditorium (801 N Country Fair Dr. in Champaign, IL 61821) OR join us virtually (contact Karla Griesbaum at kherzma2@illinois.edu).

What is FrogWatch USA?
•   A frog and toad volunteer monitoring program with over ten years of data.

•   An opportunity for volunteers to get involved in their community to collect and report information about wetlands and frog and toad populations in the U.S.

•    A nationwide program where participants learn and practice science and develop a closer relationship with their natural environment.

You do not have to be a frog or toad expert to make an important contribution!

You need an interest in learning about frogs and toads, the commitment to learn and identify their distinct calls, and the ability to make several evening visits to a local wetland.

East Central Illinois Master Naturalists will get 4 hours of Continuing Education Credit for this training. All monitoring in the field, including travel time, will count towards volunteer hours. 

After the training, volunteers can register a wetland to visit or visit a currently registered wetland site to monitor. Sites should be visited in the evenings throughout the amphibian breeding season (Early Spring through Summer, March through August). You can plan to monitor as often as possible, but not less than once a month during the breeding season. 

For questions or general inquiries, please contact Karla Griesbaum, kherzma2@illinois.edu or Chelsea Prahl, cprahl@ccfpd.org.