Hi, I'm Vern the Wood Frog. I'm Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's spokes-frog for conservation. 2008 is Year of the Frog, and I want everyone to "Leap into Action" to help amphibians in the wild. I'll be using this space to let you know what's going on at the Zoo and when and where I'll be throughout the summer (you can check out my appearance schedule below).
A little about me: obviously, I'm a wood frog, only much bigger. Wood frogs are usually two-inches in size and similar in color to me, but unlike me they live in dry upland forests through most of the year. (I live at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.) My wild counterparts will venture to vernal pools (that's where I got my name - "Vern") in early spring to lay their eggs.
A little about amphibian conservation: It is estimated that a third of the world's 6,000 amphibian species are threatened with extinction. This global amphibian crisis may be the greatest species conservation challenge in the history of humanity. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and its Amphibian Specialist Group have designated 2008 as "The Year of the Frog" and created a global conservation campaign - The Amphibian Ark - to generate public awareness and understanding of the amphibian crisis and highlight ways in which all of us can make positive contributions to amphibian conservation through our daily activities.
My friends in Northeast Ohio have created "Leap into Action" to help amphibians. It's a regional initiative with more than two dozen conservation and science-related organizations. We have special events, activities, displays and programs throughout 2008. Find out more at ForFrogs.org.
(Layout provided by Mike Industries.)
