MN Statewide FrogWatch

Minnesota Statewide FrogWatch 2026 

Purpose: The Minnesota Frog and Toad monitoring survey is designed to monitor statewide frog and toad distribution and population trends.

Desired outcomes: Volunteer participants learn to identify Minnesota’s frog and toad species by call, create and adopt a survey site, and collect data according to a standardized protocol.

Impact: Data collected through this project contributes to a valuable long-term dataset and is useful for a variety of research goals across the state and region. 

Responsibilities:

1. Apply to become a Minnesota DNR Volunteer and complete all required forms
2. Sign up for the Minnesota Statewide FrogWatch 2026 (this activity)
3. Attend an online training or view recorded training video
4. Establish and adopt a survey site according to project protocol
5. Survey your site during the spring and summer as described in the protocol
6. Collect and submit data according to the survey protocol including: 

• Use a mobile or online data collection application (Survey123) on a phone or tablet, or use alternate approved methods for data collection 
• Collect data at night and under appropriate environmental conditions 

5. Keep track of the hours you spend on the project and report them by the end of the season 
6. Contact the frog and toad program supervisor if you have problems or questions 

Restricted work: All surveys must be conducted on public land or private land with permission. Some parks and other areas may have restricted hours that are incompatible with the timing of the survey. Always get permission before surveying on private land or in a public park outside of open hours.

Qualifications needed:

• Able to learn to identify Minnesota’s frog and toad species by call 
• Able to use a personal vehicle or other appropriate means to travel to your survey site
• Able to collect data by written or electronic means

Training and preparation: Online orientation sessions are available and will be recorded for participants who cannot attend. Online training and reference resources are available through the volunteer webpage and through Volunteer Impact. Volunteers are responsible for developing the skills necessary to establish their survey site and complete their survey. 

Minimum Time Commitment:

A one hour training is required. Each survey takes approximately 10 minutes and should be repeated every 1-4 weeks throughout the season from March/April through August.

DNR Contact Person: Mags Edwards