Reminders of Frogs, Five Leap Years Past

Blanchard's Cricket Frog. Photo by: Dick Bartlett
Wednesday is Leap Day, which got me to thinking about one of my favorite jumping critters – frogs.

Growing up with about 10 acres of woods behind my house and a brook flowing right through the middle of it, I am no stranger to frogs. During the hot summer days in Rhode Island, my friends and I would wade in the small pools as we ventured out on “missions” playing GI Joe. All around us, there were frogs leaping about as we crept along the brook.  Spring and early summer nights were always my favorite though. You could sleep with the windows open and listen to a performance every night. With woods surrounding our house on 3 sides and being at the end of the street, it was the perfect place to listen to a choir of frogs.

How Are Frogs Faring This Leap Year?

Check out our factsheet on the threats from climate change frogs are facing.

The quick rundown goes like this:

  • Frog and toad habitats are drying up as reduced snowmelt means less water for ponds and streams.
  • The Sierra Nevada Yellow Legged Frog has disappeared from 90% of its mountain habitat.
  • Many frog species are becoming more susceptible to disease.
  • Drought, wildfires, and shifts in climate are forcing frogs out of house and home.  Just look at the Houston Toad fighting for survival in Texas.

Take our online quiz to learn some more fun frog facts!

Preventing Carbon Pollution

Carbon pollution from coal-burning power plants, refineries, and vehicles is causing worldwide climate change. Thankfully, EPA is taking action to limit our nation’s carbon pollution from new and existing power plants. The sooner we can reduce carbon pollution, the greater chance we will have to slow climate change

This Leap Year, take action to protect frogs and support EPA’s new rules to limit carbon pollution from power plant smokestacks so we can take a leap forward in the fight against climate change.