By Alesha Capone
Hoppers Crossing resident Sonya Findlow is encouraging Wyndham residents to hop on board for this year’s Frog Census.
The annual community-based frog monitoring program, managed by Melbourne Water, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2021.
The census uses data submitted by volunteers, aka “citizen scientists”, to help Melbourne Water improve the health of the city’s frog populations, protect frog habitat areas and improve waterway health.
More than 4000 people use the Frog Census App to record frogs in their local areas each spring.
Mrs Findlow said that she and her sons Braydon, 16, and Rhys, 13, usually observe a Growling Grass Frog in their garden most days.
She has submitted photos and footage of the frog, which belongs to an endangered species, to Melbourne Water.
Mrs Findlow said her house’s backyard has a pond, water bowls for wildlife and mostly indigenous plants.
“Being able to photograph frogs and see what they look like close-up and in real life, is really great,” she said.
“Hearing and seeing the frogs, it is good to know you help make a safe place for them.”
Mrs Findlow said her family has long been interested in wildlife and conservation, belonging to the Friends of Skeleton Creek for around 16 years.
She has shared word of the Frog Census among other members of the group, when they could host planting events outside of COVID restrictions.
As well, Mrs Findlow – who works at a local kindergarten – has been sharing her frog-recording adventures online with families during lockdown.
See bit.ly/3FVdBBS for details or the Frog Census Facebook Group.
