There are roughly 6,000 species of amphibians on Earth including frogs, toads, salamanders and newts.  Reserve your spot today and come learn about these creatures that inhabit our area.  Southwest Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center is hosting a free Georgia Adopt-a-Stream Amphibian Monitoring Workshop on Friday, October 17th from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Center at Bainbridge College. Georgia Adopt-a-Stream is a stream volunteer monitoring program. 

If you are interested in learning about the diverse world of frogs, toads and salamanders, experts from the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway, Tara Muenz and herpetologist Lora Smith will guide you through the identification process by physical characteristics and calls and teach you special monitoring techniques that scientists use to keep track of these environmentally sensitive species.  This workshop is designed for 14 years of age and older.

Why Monitor Amphibians?  The two-stage life cycle and permeable skin make amphibians particularly sensitive to environmental disruptions such as drought and pollutants. This sensitivity makes them excellent bioindicators—life forms whose well-being provides clues to the health of an ecosystem.

This workshop is designed to provide citizens with the tools and training to begin their own monitoring program.

For more information and to reserve your spot today, contact:  Paula Chambers at 229-248-3933 or email paula.chambers@bainbridge.edu  

Biology classes are invited to come.  Please make your reservation before October 15th.  The workshop is limited to 30 participants.