Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program (AVAMP)

Like toads and frogs? Searching for a meaningful volunteer experience?

You've come to the right place!

Introduction
Over recent decades many species of amphibians throughout the world have declined, in some cases quite dramatically. The Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program (AVAMP) is a long-term community survey of amphibians that was implemented in 1992 under the auspices of the Declining Amphibian Population Task Force established by the Species Survival Commission of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The goal of the program is to increase awareness of the conservation issues facing amphibians as well as to provide a better understanding of the abundance and distribution of amphibians in Alberta. The program is lead by the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), and carried out in partnership with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD) and other agencies.

AVAMP recognizes and embraces the value of the public as a resource and offers the public an opportunity to become directly involved in a conservation-oriented outdoor activity. Through the program, volunteers are encouraged to submit location information on amphibian observations as well as incidental reptile observations.

AVAMP fosters an increased awareness of the ecological world and assists biologists with the detection of new amphibian and reptile populations in the province. Data collected by volunteers contributes to an increased understanding of the distribution and the general status of Alberta’s amphibian and reptile species.

More about the program
Participants of the AVAMP are supplied with a peer-reviewed monitoring manual and a CD, featuring the calls of the frogs and toads of Alberta. These materials allow program participants to become familiar with the identification and life history of Alberta’s amphibian species. Included in the manual are detailed instructions on how to monitor amphibians, and record and submit observations. The time and energy volunteers put into the AVAMP is entirely up to them.

To maintain communication with volunteers, they are sent a biannual program newsletter each spring and fall, called “Croaks and Trills”.   A dedicated toll-free phone number is also available to volunteers to contact the program coordinator if they have questions about the program, species identification, or conservation issues relating to amphibians (and reptiles) in Alberta.

Data are submitted to program coordinator, where it is verified for accuracy, entered into a spreadsheet and forwarded to ASRD for uploading into the Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System.

How to become involved
For more information on:

• the Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program
• amphibians and reptiles of Alberta
• how to submit monitoring data, or other amphibian and reptile observations

Please contact:
Kris Kendell, Alberta Conservation Association
101 - 9 Chippewa Road, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7
Phone: 780-410-1978 (local)
Toll free: 1-877-777-FROG (3764)
Fax: 780-464-0141
E-mail: kris.kendell@ab-conservation.com

Funded in part by: