Frogs are thought to be the first indicator when something goes awry in the environment. If there are no frogs around, you can bet something is up. With how much we’ve managed to pollute the environment, it’s no wonder frog populations are declining world wide. This year Yosemite National Park will be taking part in the 4th annual Save the Frogs Day on Saturday, April 28th. Beginning at 10:00 AM and lasting throughout the day there will be walks, talks and events for the whole family. All the events are free (as is entry to the park that day) and will be taking place in front of the Yosemite Village Visitors Center.
Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. with the “Frog Fair,” which includes tables with fun activities, educational displays, research, interpretation, and sustainability. The “Frog Fair” will last until 4:00 p.m. Additionally, there will be an amphibian Junior Ranger program at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, two interpretive “frog walks,” indoor talks regarding the status of the amphibian population, and a special showing of the PBS Nature film, “Frogs: The Thin Green Line.” There will be a host of educational materials and free frog themed bracelets, pins, postcards, etcetera, available throughout the day. In addition, Ranger Rick and a frog friend will be making special appearances during the fair. For more information, please visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm (click link to the current “Yosemite Guide”) or visit www.nwf.org.
Schedule of Events:
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.: Amphibian Junior Ranger program
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.: The Amphibian Extinction Crisis, Michael Starkey, Ecologist and Save the Frogs Advisory Committee Chair
11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.: Cooks Meadow Frog Walk, Steve Thompson, NPS Branch Chief Wildlife Management
11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.: Yosemite Amphibians in Peril, Heather McKenny, NPS Aquatic Ecologist
12:00 p.m.: Meet the Frogs of Yosemite and My Backyard, Beth Pratt, National Wildlife Federation
1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.: “Frogs: The Thin Green Line,” PBS Nature Film
The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, the National Wildlife Federation, Save The Frogs, and DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.
Photo by pbkwee