Montgomery County is a local chapter of the nationwide FrogWatch USA program! Montgomery County FrogWatch is an exciting way for individuals and families to participate in community science and to learn more about amphibians and the wetlands they live in. The Montgomery County chapter has existed since 2014 and is kicking off its 11th year of monitoring Spring 2024!

The Montgomery County FrogWatch chapter is co-hosted by Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and Montgomery Parks!

What is FrogWatch USA?

FrogWatch USA is a nationwide volunteer frog and toad monitoring program. Volunteers are trained to identify frog and toad calls at a wetland site and to report their observations online. Data is compiled and analyzed to develop conservation strategies for frog and toad species and their habitat.

Why are Frogs and Toads Important?

Frogs and toads are pollution sensitive organisms and are indicators of environmental health. Frogs and toads are both predators and prey, serving an important role in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. As predators, tadpoles help clean waterways by feeding on algae and adult frogs and toads feed on insects that can be pests and transmit diseases, such as mosquitoes. They also serve as a food source for many other organisms.

Volunteer Commitments:

Throughout the breeding season from February to August, we ask that you commit to monitoring a wetland site three times. More information below:

Review the protocol.
View the volunteer training recordings (below) or join Montgomery Parks as a FrogWatch Community Scientist and reach out to chapter coordinators with questions and to receive appropriate forms.
Email frogwatch@montgomeryparks.org to join the emailing list, connect with a chapter coordinator, and receive additional resources.
Adopt a site: you have the option of monitoring a pre-registered site or registering your own site on private property. Please note: Additional instructions will be provided to volunteers electing to monitor for Montgomery Parks. Staff are able to assist in registering sites.
Create an account and enter observations to the online database, FrogWatch-FieldScope.
Visit your wetland site(s) for a three-minute period 30 minutes after sunset weekly, monthly, or a minimum of three times throughout the frog and toad breeding season of February through August. Aim to time site visits so that you are hearing early, mid, and late season calling.
Ask questions and have fun!

Image of DEP staff biologist showing kids a gray treefrog.

Image from a FrogWatch training

Training Recordings

FrogWatch 101: General Overview: Learn about frogs and toads of Montgomery County, how to become a FrogWatch volunteer, and the program basics. View a recording of the 2021 session here.
FrogWatch 102: You are ready to become a FrogWatch volunteer! Learn the appropriate protocols including how to register your site!
- View a recording of the main training session from 2021 here.
  - Volunteers looking to volunteer for Montgomery Parks and monitor on Montgomery Parkland, please view this recording of the Montgomery Parks breakout session with Rachel Gauza.
  - Volunteers looking to monitor outside of Montgomery County Parkland should View this recording of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection breakout session with Kenny Mack.

Volunteers can also complete training through FrogWatch USA or Montgomery Parks!

Learn more about volunteer training through FrogWatch USA or sign up for the free, self-paced online volunteer training and orientation course.

Montgomery Parks also hosts training and review sessions. Training for the 2024 season has concluded, but you can still complete the online FrogWatch USA volunteer training and orientation course linked above and connect with a chapter coordinator for local resources and additional details.

Monthly monitoring meetups led by Park Naturalists and Maryland Master Naturalists at Locust Grove Nature Center, Meadowside Nature Center, and hosted by Nature Forward at their Woodend Sanctuary are also an option to sharpen skills or participate among a group of other frog fans. Dates are listed on the Montgomery Parks Water Quality Information page.

Please email us at FrogWatch@MontgomeryParks.org or FrogWatch@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov if there are any questions.