Frogs campaign in Goulburn Broken

Jan 5, 2022

Knowledge leap: Learn more about local frogs such as this growling grass frog during the 2022 Year of the Frog campaign led by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority. Photo: Chris Tzaros

A decline in frog numbers across the Goulburn Murray region has sparked a campaign to highlight the threats to local frog populations and what can be done to ensure their survival.

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The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority will lead a year-long community awareness project this year: 2022 — The Year of the Frog.

The CMA’s Land, Biodiversity and Indigenous program manager Dr Steve Wilson said throughout next year the campaign would educate the community on the issues contributing to a reduction in frog numbers and solutions.

“There are diverse frog species in our catchment including tree frogs, ground dwelling frogs and frogs that live in the high country that are suffering for reasons including less available water and climate change impacts,” Dr Wilson said.

“Over the course of 12 months we will focus on local frogs, what they need, why they are in trouble and what we can do to help, such as protecting frog habitat, setting up a backyard pond and controlling pests.”

The CMA’s project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith said as part of the Linking Landscapes and Communities Project, which focuses on the grey box grassy woodlands area, the Year of the Frog would showcase 12 species specific to the area, with regular and interesting ways for people to learn more about the frogs in the local environment.

“Frogs are such an important part of our environment yet are often unseen and under-appreciated, so the purpose of the Year of the Frog is to raise the profile of these little ecological heroes,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.

“Our Year of the Paddock Tree campaign in 2019 proved that raising awareness over 12 months can have meaningful and long-term results, so I’m excited to be involved with a new ‘Year’ and one that can help our local frogs.”

Partner agencies in the Year of the Frog include Moira Shire Council, Goulburn Valley Water, RiverConnect and community members who will contribute to activities and events throughout the year.

For more information contact Janice Mentiplay-Smith on 0418 316 169 or email: janicem@gbcma.vic.gov.au