18 April 2013

Count down to Save the Frogs Day!

Froglife is very excited about this annual event to raise awareness about amphibian conservation, started by ecologist Dr Kerry Kriger in the USA.  Save the Frogs Day falls on Saturday 27th April and will be celebrated across the world.

With a third of all amphibian species at risk of extinction globally, this day of activity aims to spread the word about the threats facing frogs and other animals.

Save the Frogs! Digging a pond can help common frogs like this lovely creature
To celebrate, Froglife’s Dragon Finder Team will be hosting a Save the Frogs Day event in the Wildlife Garden at the Natural History Museum, London. We will be running educational sessions throughout the afternoon, from 12-4pm. 

The sessions will begin with a fascinating talk that celebrates the amazing amphibians that we share our planet with, and also sheds light on the reasons for their decline. The talk will be followed by a craft session, in which participants get to decorate and take home their very own tropical frog model. Between the sessions you can also join us for a spot of pond dipping, and get up close with some of our native amphibian species.

Watch this space for more news about this exciting day of activities and some unusual supporters for the amphibian cause!
Photo: Laura Brady

15 April 2013

Natives, Aliens and Reintroductions Conference

The University of Glasgow is to host a conference of interest to Croak readers on June 22nd & 23rd 2013: ‘Natives, Aliens and Reintroductions: how does ecology inform wildlife conservation in Scotland?’ with Froglifer Rob Williams giving one of the presentations.
 
Considerable resources have been expended on attempting to rid the country of non-native plants and animals deemed to be harmful, such as Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed.  At the same time, programmes have also been set up reintroducing species deemed to be desirable, such as Beavers, all against a backdrop of concern about the effects of climate change on the distribution of native species.

The two-day conference will be in the Graham Kerr Building, aimed at adults, and include talks, workshops, posters and excursions; a series of excursions to relevant sites; and a schools event on Friday 14th June, together with other schools events under the banner of the Glasgow Science Festival.

The registration fee is £15.00 (including lunch on the Saturday, and teas / coffees etc. both days). Full information and a downloadable booking form can be found here.  

The event is a contribution to the centenary celebrations of the British Ecological Society, and the Year of Natural Scotland. Glasgow Natural History Society, in collaboration with other members of the Glasgow Biodiversity Partnership and Glasgow Science Festival are leading the project.

The conference theme is also addressed in GNHS excursions throughout the year. Non-members are welcome to join, even if they haven't registered for the Conference itself.

Contact GNHS for any further information – info@glasgownaturalhistory.org.uk