There are any number of Citizen Science Programs; one example is the Christmas Bird Count. What about budding herpetologists? Have you heard of Frog Watch? Here is an observation sheet and here is more information. Here are organizations sponsoring Frog Watch, by state. Look for training or contact a local chapter. Here is a copy of the training, with a copy of the field protocols. You can learn how to identify Frog and Toad Calls. Yes, there are frog call videos. Look for your region!
You may want to study salamanders, too. Here is a lesson, Video. How to Draw a Salamander, Background, with a gallery. Watch this video which uses cover boards. Here is an overview of a salamander monitoring site.
Florida natives may want to track Geckos. PARC has both reptile and amphibian information. Many parks host Turtle Walks. In Florida there are any number of Coastal Monitoring groups, which often have patrols to keep an eye on nests.
Grad an armful of reptile and amphibian books from the library. Critter Catalog has some great information about reptiles and amphibians. Start your studies locally, with Turtle Time, or a local park program. Visit a national park. Near us is the Shenandoah Park, with the Shenandoah Salamander. Talk to a park ranger. Which reptiles and salamanders are native locally? Here is a brief guide explaining how to study pond breeding amphibians. Use the Frog Spot app to identify species. Amphibians, in particular, were once a popular, ecological topic. If you have an interested teen, he or she may want to develop a study for science fair. Seek inspiration here.
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