Frog census

Volunteer for our citizen science frog monitoring program, and record frog call data to help conservation efforts. It’s easy and fun – and you don’t have to be a frog expert!

Frogs play an important role in waterway and wetland ecosystems, and are easily affected by changes to their environment. By helping us collect far more data than otherwise possible, you’ll be shaping decisions on waterway health.

Ways to get involved

You can get involved in Frog Census in a number of ways:

Go ‘frogging’ and record calls at a nearby waterways during Frog Census months of April August October and November, using these simple instructions.

How to use the Frog Census App PDF|1.07 MB
Conduct a longer-term repeated survey program at a specific site, and collect data for a year or more. You could organise this with the help of community groups or schools.
Casually record and report frog calls throughout the year, whenever you hear them.

For more details on safe and effective frog monitoring, including how to set up a long-term monitoring program:

download our Frog Pond handbook (1.71 MB, PDF) or
watch the following video.

Frog Census - transcript

Frog census app

Download the app

Our Frog Census app makes it easy to record and submit frog calls while you’re out and about. Your recordings and photos will be verified by professional ecologists, and added to public databases.

iOS – App Store
Android – Google Play

Hand holding a smartphone with the Frog Census app icon on screen

If you need support using the app please email us on [email protected].

Frog monitoring resources

Frogging 101 video course

New to frogging? Start with our series of six short instructional videos, and learn the fundamentals of finding and recording frogs in your local area.

Frogging 101 – YouTube

Contents include:

planning a frogging trip
safety and field hygiene
finding frogs in the field
recording frog calls.

Guides to finding and identifying frogs

Download our guides for more information on locating, identifying and helping frogs:

Frog identification: beginners' guide Learn the key identifying features of frogs found throughout Melbourne. PDF|1.71 MB

Where to find frogs guide Get an overview of frog habitat types and how they’re used at different life stages. PDF|7.64 MB

Creating a frog-friendly habitat guide Tips for designing and constructing a frog-friendly pond in your own backyard. PDF|3.79 MB

Education resources

Our free resources, from Foundation to Years 9 and 10, contain modules explicitly linked to the Victorian Curriculum and meaningful and effective extension activities for frog conservation.