Volunteers working with the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program help monitor the distributions and abundance of frogs and toads. Amphibian populations throughout the world have been declining as a result of habitat loss and degradation, pollution, disease, increased UV radiation, and the introduction of exotic species. Through long-term monitoring, the program keeps an eye on frog and toad populations so that wildlife researchers and managers can take the proper steps needed to protect them.

Data collected by citizen scientists contributes to the monitoring of amphibian populations, helps to update distribution maps, and increases our understanding of breeding phenology (when frogs call).

Volunteers learn to identify frogs and toads by their unique breeding vocalizations. State partners may provide training sessions and materials. Volunteers also use an online frog call quiz to help practice species identification and to document their skill level. Once volunteer have learned frog calls, they are ready to start collecting data.

Volunteers adopt a pre-determined roadside route and listen for calling frogs and toads. Routes are visited in the evening (30 minutes after sunset or later) when frogs tend to be more active in calling. Volunteers are asked to visit the route 3-4 times during the breeding season. There are ten stops per route, and volunteers listen for five minutes at each stop. So it takes about 1.5 hours to listen and drive from stop-to-stop, plus travel time to the start of the route.