Here are some simple ideas to help you get involved at home and in your community.
Create some space for wildlife
- Plant a tree in your backyard.
- Build a pond for the neighborhood frogs.
- Start composting in your backyard garden or on your balcony. It eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers which are harmful to animals and humans, and it benefits your plants!
- Don't to use harmful chemicals in your garden or home.
Reduce, recycle and reuse
- Find alternatives to pesticides and ozone-depleting chemicals in your home and workplace.
- Recycle your toys, books and games by donating them to a hospital, daycare, nursery school or children's charity. This way the same toys can make more than one person happy!
- Save energy by turning off lights, radios and the TV when you are not using them.
- Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth and use water-saving devices on your toilet, taps and showerhead.
- Encourage your family to take public transportation. Walk or ride bicycles rather than using the car. When you can, try to organize carpools. This will help cut down on harmful fumes and unnecessary use of our earth's resources.
- Buy products and food without packaging whenever possible. Take your own bag to the store. It will reduce the amount of garbage and waste your family produces.
- Encourage your family to shop for organic fruits and vegetables.
Start garbage free lunches- Bring a lunchbox or a cloth lunch bag.
- Use a thermos and reusable containers.
- Start a recycling program at school.
- Encourage your cafeteria to use re-useable containers and recycled paper napkins.
- Sell coffee mugs to replace wasteful paper and styrofoam cups. Then donate the money to help protect the environment.
Share your concerns
- Start an environment club. You can hold special environment weeks and events.
- Write to your local, provincial and federal government representatives to encourage them to help conserve wetlands and other amphibian habitats.
- Write and perform a play or make a video to tell others about our endangered species.
- Arrange for a local naturalist or birdwatcher to speak to your class or to take your group on a nature walk.
- Have your school adopt a part of the Earth. Plant native trees and shrubs on your school grounds or clean up a nearby stream or park with the help of local naturalist clubs.
Protect an Acre of the World's Vanishing Wilderness
- Between 50 and 80% of all the plants and animals in the world live in the tropics. New species of frogs are discovered in the tropics all the time. Yet, every second more than an acre of tropical forest disappears. The trees are chopped down for re-sale, and what's left gets burned. Sometimes even this remaining land gets flooded by dams built for electricity or waterways. Our planet is losing huge amounts of rich habitat, home to millions of unique species and local peoples.With their homes being cut down, many species are become endangered. It's been estimated that every hour, one species has completely dissapeared form the Earth!
Scientists and environmental action groups are trying to work with local rainforest peoples to develop alternatives to "slash and burn" agriculture, so that they can grow food and support themselves without having to destroy more forest.
Our own lifestyle choices have an impact on tropical habitats. We can also reduce demand for unsustainable rainforest products by being careful about what we buy. You can also make donations to one of the various Wildlife Conservation groups to adopt an acre of endangered forest and help conserve amphibian populations.
Other Cool Frog Projects:
- Frog Force Campaign - a new initiative spearheaded by the Department of Interior and National Wildlife Federation, join in the campaign to raise awareness of the plight of frog species.
- Frog Spotting Visit a local pond to hear the spring peepers, bullfrogs and other frog species singing love songs to each other.
- A Thousand Friends of Frogs - connects K-12 students, educators, families, and scientists from Minnesota and beyond to study and celebrate frogs and their habitats.
- Frogwatch USA USGS has launched Frogwatch USA fo conduct long-term frog and toad monitoring. Frogwatch aims to engage everyday people in conservation & having fun!
- Rainforest Alliance Frog Pond Great teaching tool website with fun stuff for learning.
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