THE Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) is set to launch its 9th annual ‘Find a Frog in February’ Citizen Science program.
This initiative calls on community members to observe and report frog sightings, contributing to the conservation of these vital environmental indicators.
MRCCC’s Ollie Scully highlighted the importance of public participation.
“The more frogs that are looked for and reported, the better we can look after them,” Mr Scully said.
“Frogs are not only fascinating but also reveal the health of our environment.”
The recent hot and wet conditions have created ideal conditions for frogs, which are most active at night near water sources.
While their calls help attract mates, they also make them vulnerable to predators—yet, they offer a prime opportunity for observation.
Globally, one-third of frog species face extinction, with a quarter of local species under threat. Recent studies indicate population declines in eight common species. Frogs are sensitive to environmental changes, making their presence a key indicator of ecosystem health.
MRCCC urges the public to join the search by submitting frog sightings via the ‘Find a Frog in February’ project on iNaturalist or the ‘Find a Frog – MRCCC’ group on FrogID.
All data is integrated into Queensland’s WildNet database for research and planning. Community workshops and surveys will be held throughout February.
More details, including registration and participation incentives, are available at www.mrccc.org.au/frog-in-february/ or by calling 07 5482 4766.