About CAMP

The objectives of the project are to provide a mechanism for gathering data on amphibian populations across the state and to promote the awareness of conservation issues surrounding amphibians. There is growing concern among scientists throughout the world over apparent declines in amphibian populations and an increased incidence of malformations and disease in frogs.

Amphibians are excellent indicators of environmental health due to a number of inherent biological and ecological factors, including permeable skin, low population mobility and a complex life cycle with both aquatic and terrestrial stages.

Because of annual fluctuation and natural variability, long-term studies are required to accurately assess population trends. The monitoring program will study 13 randomly selected, 1.5 square mile survey blocks throughout the state over a 15-year period.

Volunteers are trained to identify the 22 species of amphibians native to Connecticut and on how to use standard amphibian census techniques, like frog call surveys, salamander cover searches and night road transects for migrating amphibians. Refer to the Connecticut Amphibians Page for a list.

The list of survey site coordinators, including addresses, phone numbers and email, is on the Contacts page.

Information gathered from the project will provide a baseline for analyzing changes in relative species diversity and abundance of Connecticut amphibian populations. The results may aid future conservation planning efforts by providing an indication of how various amphibian species and populations respond to different land uses.

In the U.S., the North American Amphibian Monitoring Project (N.A.A.M.P.) establishes population survey protocols and collects data from monitoring sites.
The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program

Partner List

Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

 

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection:
    Kellogg Environmental Center

Connecticut Audubon in the Northeast Corner

 

Menunkatuck Audubon Society

 

 

Pfizer Teacher Resource Center

 

Sacred Heart University
Science Center of Connecticut

 

Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History