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Columbia spotted frog
A Columbia spotted frog basks on a rock in a wetland near Beauvais Lake Provincial Park. With careful maneuvering by the observer, some amphibians will allow close approach to confirm identification. This photo was taken with an inexpensive point-and-shoot digital camera. – Kris Kendell
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Amphibian habitat
Wetlands of various forms and degrees of permanence provide amphibians with the habitat they need to survive. Ponds like this one offer ideal amphibian habitat with shallow water zones and abundant aquatic and emergent vegetation. – ACA
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Frog watches frog surveyor
Sometimes it can be difficult to spot amphibians, but that is not to say they haven’t seen you! Part of the enjoyment of volunteering with AVAMP is being out in nature; not seeing amphibians is not necessarily a bad thing. Photo credit: Kris Kendell
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Dug-out
Dug-outs with a low shoreline gradient, shallow marshy edges and minimal or no impacts from livestock can provide productive breeding habitat for amphibians and be a perfect site to monitor. – Kris Kendell
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Great Plains toad
The Great Plains toad is restricted to the southern prairie regions of Alberta. In years with little rainfall it is seldom seen. – Kris Kendell
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Northern leopard frog egg mass
Like tadpoles, the eggs of different frog and toad species can be identified once you know what to look for. Here, the eggs of a northern leopard frog develop in the shallows of a small wetland near Brooks, Alberta. – ACA
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Wood frog
The wood frog is a common amphibian found throughout the parkland, boreal forest, foothills and mountainous regions of the province. – ACA
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Tiger salamander
On a summer’s evening, a tiger salamander makes a mad dash across a quiet gravel road near Jenner, Alberta. It is often under circumstances like these that we see the more secretive and cryptic amphibian species. – Kris Kendell
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Wandering garter snake
Snakes, like this wandering garter snake, are naturally shy animals that prefer to go unnoticed and quickly move away from danger if given the chance. Like all wild animals, if provoked or cornered some snakes may bluff or even attempt to bite. – Dave Jackson
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Battle River near Wainwright
Garter snakes benefit greatly from the rich biodiversity wetlands support. Here they forage for frogs, tadpoles, small fish, leeches, and a variety of other small prey items. – Kris Kendell
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Badlands
Rocky outcrops, slumps along river valleys, and animal burrows found in the badlands of southern Alberta offer snakes ideal denning opportunities. – David Fairless
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Flood plain
Flood plains and cottonwood forests along the reaches of southern Alberta river systems provide favorable habitat for prairie rattlesnakes, bullsnakes, as well as wandering and Plains garter snakes. – Kris Kendell
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Human-created habitat
Sometimes snakes overwinter in human-created environments such as wells, rock piles, along building foundations, and in cellars. This homeowner shares a rock retaining wall with red-sided and wandering garter snakes that use it as a winter denning site. – Pat Young
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Newborn garter snake
A newborn wandering garter snake found west of Claresholm, Alberta is gently handled and admired. – Kris Kendall
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Prairie rattlesnake
A prairie rattlesnake shelters in a den entrance surrounded by young. Prairie rattlesnakes give birth to live young at their den site, usually in September or early October. – Kris Kendell
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Red-sided garter snake den
The warmth of spring lures red-sided garter snakes from the cozy confines of their winter den. On the surface, males swarm female snakes to breed in what is often referred to as a “mating ball”. In the photo, the female is the larger snake. Once mated, she will set out for summer feeding grounds in nearby meadows, open forest, and marshes. The males will soon follow. – Rick Jobin
Become an Amphibian Monitoring Program volunteer. It’s fun and easy! From the backyard to the backcountry, volunteer amphibian observations contribute to real science and conservation.
About one in every three of the world’s approximately 7,000 known species of amphibians are threatened with extinction, with many species having already vanished in recent years. Amphibian decline affects ecosystem function and biodiversity and is a problem of local, national, and international scope.
Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program (AVAMP) is a citizen science program that allows participants to learn about the amphibians in their communities and help conserve amphibian populations by reporting frog, toad and salamander observations.
Save a salamander, befriend a frog!
As a steward of our natural world, there are many things volunteers can do to help amphibians. One of the easiest things is participating in AVAMP.
Anyone can monitor frogs, toads and salamanders, including individuals, families, schools, naturalist groups and organizations. We offer our volunteers ongoing support for amphibian identification and guidance in monitoring. Observations can be submitted using our new online form.
You are free to monitor amphibians in the special places where you hunt, fish, hike, paddle, or go to be with nature. How much time and effort you put into the program is entirely up to you.
Reptile observations can also be submitted through AVAMP. We use your voluntary data to better understand the distribution and status of Alberta’s herpetofauna. Acquiring this fundamental information is an important first step to many amphibian and reptile conservation initiatives in our province.
Healthy amphibians, healthy environment
Actively managing your land and water for amphibians can save you time and resources, improve animal and plant health, increase land value, and increase returns from farming and ranching inputs.
Want to know more about amphibians and implementing habitat stewardship on your property? Read "Amphibians on my land—habitat stewardship in agricultural landscapes.” For additional information about habitat stewardship practices and assistance with implementing habitat stewardship on your property, click here.
For more information about AVAMP, please contact kris.kendell@ab-conservation.com.
Phone: 780-410-1978 Toll free: 1-877-777-FROG (3764)