AMPHIBIAN Conservation

Mounting scientific evidence shows that amphibians are among the most imperiled species on Earth. Ubiquitous toxins, global warming, ozone depletion, the introduction of nonnative fish, and habitat destruction are key factors leading to their demise. Frog deformities have been reported in 42 states, and up to one-third of 230 native U.S. amphibian species are declining in numbers — even in some of our largest national parks and wilderness areas. Most disturbingly, amphibian declines are global, sudden, and precipitous. And since these animals are good indicators of significant environmental changes that may go initially undetected by humans, amphibians’ worldwide decline and deformities reveal that our ecosystems are in trouble.

The Center’s amphibians program is working to halt this trend. Since our inception, we’ve protected numerous native amphibians in the Southwest and West. We’ve petitioned for the federal listing of nearly two dozen North American amphibian species or populations, including 12 salamanders, eight frogs, and two toads. We’ve also won or are working to secure critical habitat for a dozen amphibian species.