Love Creek's FrogWatch training dates set - Herald Palladium

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BERRIEN CENTER — The naturalists at Berrien County’s Love Creek Park are hoping that people jump at the chance to take part in FrogWatch trainings to identify native amphibians.

This is the first time the park has hosted the trainings and it is the only FrogWatch chapter in Southwest Michigan, according to Derek Pelc, who recently joined the staff of the park at 9292 Huckleberry Road, Berrien Center.

The program, that teaches volunteers to recognize frog and toad species by their sound, was started in 1998 by the U.S. Geologic Survey, and was taken over by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2009.

Pelc said the activity was adopted by the Potawatomi Zoo, where he previously worked. There are 151 chapters in 41 states and Washington, D.C.

Keeping track of amphibians is important to understand the overall natural environment, Pelc explained.

“Amphibians are a really good indicator of the health of the wetlands and the entire eco-system,” Pelc said. A declining population can indicate pollution, habitat loss or the presence of invasive species.

About one-third of amphibian species are threatened with extinction, Pelc said, including frogs native to Michigan. More than 150 amphibian species already may have been lost.

Amphibians have benefits for humans, scientists point out. Antibiotics, anti-tumor substances, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory drugs have been isolated from these animals. Ten percent of Nobel prizes in physiology and medicine resulted from research that used frogs. Compounds from their skin are being tested for anti-cancer and anti-HIV properties.

During the FrogWatch training, set for 2-4 p.m. March 30 and April 4, participants will learn about frog calls and the tools needed to track each species. Once they pass the exam, volunteers are asked to go out four times a year after sunset, February through August, for five-minute sessions, to listen and record their findings. They later will enter them into the FieldScope national database. 

Species of frogs that volunteers are likely to encounter at Love Creek include spring peepers, American bullfrogs, the East American toad, gray tree frogs and green frogs.

Some of the calls are quite distinct, Pelc said. The sound of the western chorus frog, for example, sounds like a finger running along a pocket comb. The vocalizations of the green frog sound like a giant rubber band.

Knowing each individual sound can be important in identifying different species. Pelc said that two species of gray frogs look so much alike that they can only be distinguished by their call.

FrogWatchers need to have sharp ears to pick up the frog calls from the locusts and crickets that might be harmonizing at the same time, Pelc said.

In addition to the trainings, Love Creek will host a Frog Pond Journey for young explorers at 3 p.m. April 13 to search for amphibians and other aquatic creatures. With more people schooled in identifying these animals, Pelc hopes to have more exploratory activities.

Although FrogWatch is a family-friendly project, park staff asks that only adults or older children attend the training.

Information is available on the Love Creek Facebook page. After Clicking the “Going” tab, send an email to Love Creek at lovecreek@berriencounty.org. Provide your name, email you would like information sent to, and which session you plan to attend. Space is limited. Love Creek can be reached at 471-2617.



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