It was raining everywhere in the Mt Warning Caldera Region at the beginning of the year(2008). At my friend’s small dam in Beechmont, up near Binna Burra and Lamington National Park, the Frogs were celebrating the Year of the Frog by loud choruses in the reeds and rushes, all night long. My friend told me that they have over 20 species of Frogs there, in their little dam.
The Frogs in SE Queensland are lucky, because the Queensland Frog Society Inc. has some very dedicated members, who are helping to keep the Frogs alive and well in the SE Queensland Region. Back in Frog Week, some years ago, when it had been rather dry here in the Mt Warning Caldera Region, I can imagine that being a Frog would have been quite a challenge, both in Queensland and NSW !!!!!
The challenge for survival seems to be increasing, however, even though it has been raining, and raining, and raining here, in the Region. Take a look at the Australian figures for Frogs that have been compiled for the Australian Government. Looks like quite a few Regional Frog species are threatened & endangered. The Frogs of the Mt Warning Caldera Region need your help.
Now that it is coming into winter, many Frogs will be taking cover in vegetation, under logs and rocks, near drains and moist protected areas. I remember cutting back my Lemon Grass by the house, years ago, when I “THOUGHT” that I knew about caring for the environment. I was devastated when I realised that DEEP in the base of the Lemon Grass were about twelve little green Litoria species Frogs, seeking shelter. I had destroyed their home. A hard lesson to learn, but even harder for the Frogs.
Mowing, Brushcutting, use of Insecticides and Herbicides (yes, even “bio” herbicides) can make Frogs sick. Have a think about what goes into your greywater, and where it goes. There are alot of social pressures and great advertising ideas for new “bio” products to use. Products often come in plastic and printed packaging that, as well as the left over, washed away product residual, at some point, may degrade a wetland area further down the environmental chain. The pathway from your kitchen and backyard, via a dump or drain, to a local wetland area is an interesting learning focus. Discernment and decisions concerning use of such products, and the pathways the products take – I leave up to you!
Another threat to Frogs is that Cane Toads eat them and take over their habitats. More information on Cane Toads can be found at the Australian Government’s CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) website. Humane treatment of Cane Toads is advocated by bluecray.org.
So, this winter, try to keep the areas around your property Frog Friendly, and heed the tips from Frogs Australia on caring for Frog Habitats, Join a local Frog Group, Help your kids’ school with making a School Frog Habitat and Pond. Study more about Frogs in Bluecray’s Frog Links, the World Wide Web’s Resources and at your local Library, then help the teachers at your kid’s pre-school or school do an educational display or activity. Connect with your local COMMUNITY GROUP and inspire them to become involved.
Environmental Advocacy, and Frog advocacy are closely related. Frogs are an important indicator of a clean and healthy environment. Frogs represent cleansing and rebirth in a number of different symbolic stories from around the world.
To some people, frogs are scary and “yukkie”. I have woken up a few times, when I have been asleep, with a frog landing on my face! You know, immediately, as you wake, that it is a frog (cold – like a frog has just landed on you). So, if you are a little scared of frogs, learn more about the tiny, little ones – it is hard to be scared of them, when you look at their beauty up close.
Why not help Frogs celebrate 2008 by making their world a better place?
Bluecray’s Frog Links Page
Bluecray would love to hear from you if you have any further Regional Links for the Mt Warning Caldera Region to add to the Frog Links Page:- contact bluecray.org
Community Group, Networks & Organisations DIRECTORIES (more to come) in the Mt Warning Caldera Region
While you are visiting the Council websites below, have a look through them for information on FROGS, so you can create your own FROG PORTFOLIO
- Gold Coast City Council search for Community Resource Directory
- Scenic Rim Regional Council Community Groups – in process of being updated(6/5/2008)
- Scenic Rim Regional Council’s Resident’s and Community PAGES
- Ballina Shire Council - you may be able to find local information regarding caring for Native Frogs here, looking through the community/environment pages…( personally i couldn’t, but with luck…..)
- Byron Shire Council Community Page
- Clarence Valley Council Community Page the Clarence Valley Council uses Infoxchange Australia ‘s Service Seeker NSW
- Kyogle Shire Council Community Directory Links
- Lismore City Council Community Services – Community Directory can be found here
- Tweed Shire Council Community Directory -
Amphibian Ark – they had an article on 2008 year of the Frog, but now the link has broken, so here is a link to their site, insead
Native animals of the Gold Coast’s eucalypt forests and woodlands Google HTML doc of the PDF
Native animals living in or near creeks and rivers of the Gold Coast(Gold Coast City Council) Google HTML doc of the PDF
The frogs of NSW Wetlands at NSW Department of Natural Resources
Some links for Litoria latopalmata (Broad-Palmed Rocket Frog, Broad Palmed Frog or gunther’s Frog)
Litoria latopalmata (Broad Palmed Frog) at Amphibiaweb : distribution, photos, links, specimen search
Call and video list on Amphibiaweb
Litoria latopalmata at Frogs Australia Network – Australian Frog Database
ICUN Redlist of threatened species : Broad-Palmed Rocket Frog – Litoria latopalmata – see what ICUN says about the status.
Australian Government Action Plan for Frogs ”Checklist of Australian Frogs”
“A survey of the frogs of Nixon and Little Nerang Creeks adjacent to the proposed Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk route”. 2005 PDF at theEPA Queensland Government (Environmental Protection Agency QLD), now covered by the QLD Department of Environment & Resource Management
Australian Faunal Directory at the Australian Biological Resources Study – web page for Species Litoria latopalmata Günther, 1867 (Broad-palmed Frog, Gunther’s Frog)
Amphibian’s Keepers Licence - NSW Government -
Keeping Wildlife for recreational purposes – QLD Government – this may be a starting point
try the bluecray environment search for FROGS - Mt Warning Caldera Region
NSW Department of Water & Energy
NSW Department of Primary Industries
NSW Department of Environment & Climate Change
