Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-08, Page 1010 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, May, 8, 2013
Grand Bend and area residents can find out about local
frogs and frog monitoring at FrogWatch event on May 14
Frogs have important story to tell about our local
environment, and that's why it's important to
monitor their populations and to protect species
Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Authority
Most people probably know that
frogs say'ribbit ... ribbit ... rihhit:
frogs have a lot more to tell us that. just
'rihhit; according to Ausable Bayfield
Conservation. "Monitoring frogs is
important because these amphibians
have aquatic and terrestrial life stage's,"
said Angela Van Niekerk, Wetlands Spe-
cialist with Ausable Bayfield Conserva-
tion. ".That makes them an important
indicator of change in these
environments."
People ill (;rand Bend and sp'l'it are
invited to find out about different local
frog species, and what they have to tell
us about our water quality, at a brief
information evening on 'Tuesday, May
14, 2013, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the
Old Ausable Channel - Origin in (rand
Bend. Those taking part can also find
out about FrogWatch Ontario and local
public involvement in this program to
monitor and protect these species in
the Grand Bend area,
Please pre -register for the FrogWatch
evening by calling Angela at Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Authority
(ARCA) at 519-235-2610 or toll-free
1-888-286-2610 or e-mail avanniekerk@1
abca.on.ca.
The May 14 evening isn't just educa-
tional -- it should also be fun. "You can
learn frog calls and hear some fascinat-
ing farts," Van Niekerk said. For
instance, what frog can partially freeze
for the winter'? You are invited to attend
the information evening to find out the
answer to this and other questions.
Parking is available at River Road or
Alberta Street,
I lighlights of the (rand fiend Frog -
Watch Monitoring Program evening
are:
Interesting facts about frogs
An introduction to the FrogWatch
Ontario program
Participation in a frog count
Posters from the 'Toronto 'loo
Amphibians breathe through their
lungs and through their skin. That
makes them more sensitive to pollu -
tion. So, their presence or absence pro-
vides us with early warning to changes
in our environment. Therefore, frogs
don't just say'ribbit. They have a story
to tell us about the health of our water
and environment.
'There are 21 species of frogs in Can-
ada, and 13 species in Ontario. Frog -
Watch monitoring data show a trend
that frog and toad populations are
decreasing. The reason frog and toad
numbers are going down includes hab-
itat loss, fewer connections between
areas with habitat, and mortality from
traffic. Other threats to amphibians
include people collecting frogs for food,
medicine, bait, as pets, or for other pur-
poses. Local people can help protect
frogs and other amphibians, according
to Van Niekerk. "1)o not collect frogs,"
she said. "1)o not release non-native
fish, amphibians, or reptiles into the
wild and don't pollute - help keep pes-
ticides out of local waters by discontin-
uing pesticide use and finding alterna-
tives, or reducing amounts, or doing
projects that help keep pesticides from
travelling in runoff."
Frogs have many direct benefits for
humans, Van Niekerk said. 'the May 14
workshop will tell people about these
benefits, including the fact they eat
insects like mosquitoes and insert
pests. Frogs also provide food for fish,
birds, and mammals -- so they're an
important part of the food chain.
'I:rogWatching' is fun for the whole
family. People of all ages can partici -
pate to monitor frog populations, said
Van Niekerk. "You can listen to frogs in
your backyard over the calling season
and submit your findings to Frog -
Watch," she said. Van Niekerk thanked
all the local people who have been part
of the FrogWatch monitoring program
VICTORIA DAY
LONG WEEKEND DEADLINES:
Due to the Victoria Day Holiday on
Monday, May 20th
the following deadlines will be in
place for our May 22nd issue.
ADVERTISING &
EDITORIAL
Deadlines will be...
Thursday May 16th @ 2:00 pm
"HAVE A GREAT LONG WEEKEND"
6rard B¢od
58 Ontario St., N.
Aimmo
Grand Bend NOM 1TO
PH: 238-5383 FAX: 238-5131
Email:
lakeshore.advance@sunmedia.ca
and she said more volun-
teers are always welcome.
"We and FrogWatch Ontario
are always looking for more
volunteers to listen and
report their frog findings,"
she said. The FrogWatch
Ontario program aims to
educate people about
amphibian conservation
issues and empowers citi-
zens to act as stewards of the
environment to protect these
important species.
This is only the second
time Ausable Bayfield (:on -
servation has offered a pub-
lic FrogWatch event in (rand
Bend to encourage partici-
pants to listen to the frogs in
their backyards or at their
cottages and report their
findings. It has been two
years since a FrogWatch
night has been held in the
(rand Bend area so call now
to reserve your place for this
free event.
Lakeshore Advance
Workplace group join CHC programs
The Grand Bend Community Health Centre is offering a new
program with the Workplace Group. For over 35 years, The
Wod.Place Group has contributed to the employment success of
thousands of residents and business owners throughout Sarnia
Lambton as well as supporting hundreds of clients who have
chosen self-employment With a commitment to diversity, their
services are inclusive for able bodied clients and those living with
physical and seaming challenges. Projects include The Workplace
and WorkPtace Solutions, both located in Sarnia, and The Workplace
County Outreach located in Petrolla and now Grand Bend.
The organization operates under the guidance of an Executive
Board of Directors, comprised of dedicated volunteers representing
various sectors within the Samia Lambton business community. Our
Directors have extensive experience ki both the private and public
sectors and bring vast business knowledge to the organization.
This service will be available at the CHC the first Thursday of every
month 9-4 in the Mutt Day wing at the Health Centre. Shown here
is Stephanie Hyde and Christine Atkinson. The next day they will be
hem is June 6th.
For more information check out httpJ/theworkplacegroup.c /