Georgia DNR outreach coordinator teaches Metro Atlanta residents how to identify, protect frogs

Linda May, outreach coordinator for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Conservation Section, told a City of Milton Wildlife 101 webinar that Georgia has 32 frog species statewide and that about 16 to 18 species occur around Milton and North Fulton County.

“Bioindicator just means that it's a living creature that can tell us a little bit more, than maybe what we see with our own eyes on what's going on in the environment,” May said, explaining why frogs matter for local water and habitat health.

May described major frog groups (true frogs, tree frogs, cricket frogs and true toads), gave audio examples of common local calls, and urged residents to use simple habitat measures — leaving a vegetation buffer around ponds, keeping plant saucers cleaned or periodically emptied, and avoiding broadcast pesticides — to help amphibians and reduce mosquito problems.

The presentation highlighted species Metro Atlanta listeners are likely to encounter: green tree frog (a “happy,” bouncy call), squirrel tree frog (a chattering call), Cope’s gray…