Frog Week created to bring attention to often overlooked species

Frogs are finally getting their due — and their own week of celebration — thanks to the efforts of an Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate student.

“Most tend to fear frogs and other creatures around them; frog week helps break this and bring attention to what is in our backyard,” said herpetologist AAron Capouellez, who also serves as a PA Woods and Forests board member.

Frog Week, which begins Monday, includes a project of videos created by Capouellez for PA Woods and Forests. The outreach and citizen science nonprofit organization focuses on the conservation of plants and animals including frogs, toads, carnivorous plants, invertebrates, lizards and snakes.

The series of videos, filmed over the last seven months by Capouellez, focuses on wild populations of American toads, wood frogs, gray tree frogs and pickerel frogs and will be posted during the week.

“I want to encourage and inspire the next generation of herpetologists (scientists who study reptiles and amphibians),” Capouellez said. “Also, to just bring frogs and toads into the conversation, as they are often overlooked for conservation funding.”

PA Woods and Forests also works to keep abundant species thrive.

“Not only are threatened and endangered species important, but the abundant ones too,” Capouellez said. “It is important to protect them from extinction at all costs and protect our overall ecosystem.”

Capouellez said threats to native species in Westmoreland County include pesticides and herbicides and invasive species. He said the biggest threat is deforestation.

Malcolm Crittenden, treasurer of PA Woods and Forests, agrees that deforestation is a “huge” issue but believes that citizen ignorance about their surroundings is another large factor.

“I think since most do not know about wildlife in general, it is hard for them to take care of their property properly,” Crittenden said. “Someone might come across a frog while they’re cutting grass, not even thinking about them or other animals and their habitats.”

Capouellez has been visiting properties throughout the county, assessing the habitats of native species and creating special artificial pools to restore lost water. He also does “critter talks” at local schools, churches and senior homes, nature walks with the public and performs road rescues almost every time it rains.

“There are about 10 locations that I keep up with consistently,” Capouellez said. “There can be anywhere from 50 to 100 injured and dead frogs at each location, which is really hard to see because it is graphic, but it is necessary.”

Capouellez then either treats the injured amphibians himself or takes them to other recovery areas.

Frog Week will be released on the Woods and Forests Media YouTube channel. Sessions include Reptile Network podcast, Herp Talk Radio, Josh’s Frogs Instagram and Greenhouse Arcade

Check the PA Woods and Forest website for updates.