Australian frogs are threatened by many complex factors indluing the disease Chytridiomycosis. Developing breeding ponds and carrying out ongoing monitoring are among the ways frogs are being protected in State forests.
Olney State Forest is home to a series of frog ‘hotels’ designed to support threatened frog species, thanks to a partnership with the University of Newcastle. The artificial ponds form a network of breeding habitat for species such as the Littlejohn's tree frog and the giant burrowing frog.
The chain of permanent ponds in Olney State Forest will link frog populations and provide a reliable water source for all parts of their lifecycle. Ongoing monitoring will assess how the frogs use the breeding ponds.
The Australian Museum's FrogID app allows you to record frog calls for scientists to listen to and identify, to help better understand and conserve frogs. You can contribute by reporting calls via the Australian Museum's Frog ID app.
Forestry Corporation routinely surveys for a range of species including frogs ahead of harvesting operations. Several years ago, Forestry Corporation's Eden-based ecologists discovered the southern-most known population of Littlejohn's Tree Frog as part of its pre-harvest planning in Nadgee State Forest. The healthy population was found after the 2019-20 fires, which were particularly severe in the south of the state, offering a positive early sign of post-fire recovery. The ongoing wet conditions following the 2019-20 fires have supported the recovery of many forest species.
Watch Saving Littlejohn, a fascinating documentary directed by Mhairi Fenton and filmed in the State forests of the Watagan Mountains.