Blackall Range residents called on to document local frog populations as citizen science program running since 2017 enters another year
Residents across the Blackall Range are being called on to grab their torches and head to their local creeks and dams this month as the annual Find a Frog in February citizen science program, running since 2017, kicks off once again.
The Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) is once again mobilising residents across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie and Fraser Coast regions to document frog populations throughout the month, building on tens of thousands of records already contributed to Queensland’s biodiversity database.
“Frogs are excellent indicators of ecosystem health,” explains Eva Ford, frog specialist with MRCCC. “They depend on clean water, intact riparian vegetation, healthy soils and good air quality. When frog populations decline or disappear, it’s often signalling broader environmental problems.”
Why It Matters
The program focuses on both common and threatened species, with particular concern that around one-quarter of frog species in the region are facing extinction. Large stream-breeding frogs like the endangered Giant Barred Frog are especially vulnerable, requiring cool, clean, shaded streams with stable banks for egg-laying.
Recent research has highlighted the critical role private landholders play in frog conservation. A new study using FrogID data from New South Wales found that 86% of frog submissions came from private land, with some endangered species having more than 96% of their records from private properties. With protected areas covering only around 10% of the landscape, understanding biodiversity on private land has become essential for conservation outcomes.
The Mary River catchment is home to more than 40 native frog species. Commonly recorded species include the Eastern Sedgefrog, Common Green Treefrog and Great Barred Frog, whilst threatened species such as the Giant Barred Frog, Tusked Frog and Ornate Burrowing Frog remain a key focus of monitoring efforts.
Council Partnership and Support
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson confirmed the council’s ongoing commitment to the program: “Sunshine Coast Council, in partnership with the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, supports the delivery of Find a Frog in February workshops each year.
“Find a Frog in February is a citizen science program that enables the community to help close the knowledge gaps that exist for our local frogs. Council’s Land for Wildlife officers provide tailored, technical advice to Land for Wildlife landholders on natural resource management topics including habitat restoration for local wildlife species.”
The council encourages landholders to undertake restoration activities aimed at improving the condition of native bushland, waterways, gullies and dams through weed control, regeneration and revegetation, and erosion and sediment control.
Landholder Environment Grants are available to provide assistance for private rural landholders to undertake on-ground projects on their properties that contribute to the region’s biodiversity and waterways. The council’s Environment Levy funds a range of environmental projects and initiatives which support the protection of threatened species on the coast, carried out by both council and the community through citizen science and environmental grant programs.
These initiatives include Land for Wildlife Incentives, Landholder Environment Grants, Environment Levy Partnerships and Grants, the land acquisition program, Kids in Action and Nature Watch.
Local Success Stories
The program has already delivered tangible conservation wins. MRCCC highlights the rediscovery and apparent recovery of the vulnerable Giant Barred Frog in the Obi Obi Creek and Maleny area as an example of how habitat restoration, coupled with systematic frog surveys, can support the return of sensitive species.
Properties participating in Land for Wildlife programmes near Gheerulla and Maleny have used Find a Frog in February surveys to reveal populations of threatened species, linking these discoveries to long-term revegetation and weed control efforts. The transformation is often audible—landholders report dramatic changes in the soundscape of their properties on February evenings as restored creek lines come alive with frog calls.
The Threats Frogs Face
Multiple pressures are converging on local frog populations. Riparian vegetation clearing, stock access to creeks, siltation and altered flow regimes from dams and weirs all degrade breeding habitat. Water pollution from agricultural and urban runoff creates toxic conditions for eggs and tadpoles.
The amphibian chytrid fungus remains a major driver of declines in stream-breeding species, weakening their skin and disrupting vital functions. Climate change is compounding these stresses, bringing more heatwaves, altered rainfall patterns and longer dry spells that can shrink or eliminate breeding sites.
Invasive species add further pressure. Pest fish consume eggs and tadpoles, whilst feral pigs churn up wetlands and creeks, worsening turbidity and bank damage. Aquatic weeds can create oxygen-poor conditions that favour hardy generalist species over sensitive native frogs.
How to Get Involved
Participation is straightforward. Residents are asked to spend time at local creeks, dams, ponds or wetlands during February, take clear photos and audio recordings of frogs, note the location and basic habitat, and submit records.
Submissions can be made directly to MRCCC by email or phone, uploaded via the dedicated Find a Frog in February project on iNaturalist, or recorded through the FrogID app. All verified records flow into the Queensland Government WildNet database, where they inform research, land use planning and conservation decisions.
Special Event: Obi Obi Workshop
A highlight of this year’s programme is a combined frog and platypus survey at Obi Obi on Thursday 5th February. The event begins at 4:00pm at Obi Obi Hall with expert talks from Eva Ford on local frog species and Neil Andison, the “Platypus Whisperer”, on platypus ecology.
Following a light supper and networking with Land for Wildlife members, participants will head to Obi Obi Creek at 6:00pm for a twilight platypus survey. From 7:00pm onwards, the group will conduct frog spotlighting at a nearby Land for Wildlife property.
Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. Participants should bring a headlamp or torch, water bottle, field clothing and covered shoes. Registration closes on Monday 2nd February.
What Landholders Can Do
The programme explicitly aims to raise awareness about practical actions residents can take. Simple measures such as fencing stock out of creeks, replanting riparian vegetation, reducing chemical use and retaining farm dams as habitat can make significant differences to local frog populations.
MRCCC provides online resources including species lists, identification keys, videos and guidance on running frog surveys. The organisation frequently partners with Land for Wildlife and local conservation projects, integrating frog surveys with broader habitat restoration work.
Support is available through conservation partnerships, grants and council programmes. Sunshine Coast Council’s Land for Wildlife and Conservation Partnerships teams, along with Noosa, Gympie and Fraser Coast councils, provide both financial and logistical backing for restoration efforts.
Building a Community of Guardians
Beyond the scientific data, Find a Frog in February aims to build a sense of shared guardianship for local waterways. The programme’s Facebook group shares “Frog of the Day” posts, updates and community discussions, maintaining engagement throughout the year.
Small prizes for outstanding participants and recognition of “frogger” efforts help keep people involved. Many landholders report that the work matters not just for conservation outcomes, but for personal connection to place and leaving a legacy for future generations.
As the Range’s creeks and dams come alive with breeding calls this February, residents have the opportunity to contribute to a growing body of knowledge that is shaping conservation efforts across south-east Queensland. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or simply curious about the wildlife in your backyard, Find a Frog in February offers a chance to make a meaningful contribution to understanding and protecting the biodiversity that makes the Blackall Range unique.
• Visit the MRCCC website at mrccc.org.au/frog-in-february
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the article or the information contained within for any purpose.