According to the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, the local frog and toad population serves as an important biological indicator for the health of the natural world. This is because anurans (amphibians lacking tails) are extremely susceptible to environmental change; as ecosystems mutate, anuran populations decrease in either number and/or diversity.
This Thursday evening, you can learn how to evaluate the health of your local anuran inhabitants at the Frog Listening Network Training Workshop, presented by the Task Force.
At the workshop, you'll find out about the different frog and toads species in the west-central Florida area, while also learning how to identify all 21 species both by sight and sound. You'll also learn how to collect and record scientific data; how invasive species affect our native species, and what to do about them; and how to become an official frog listener. Finally, you'll also go outside and listen for frogs with guidance from local biologists and Task Force staff. For more information or to reserve your spot, call the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force at 813-453-4750.
Frog Listening Network Training Workshop, 7-10 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Flatwoods Park, 14302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa.
-Leilani Polk
This article appears in Jun 8-14, 2005.
