Introduction
A giant inflatable frog has become an unlikely hero in Portland, Oregon. Amidst protests and demonstrations, this whimsical amphibian has captured hearts, sparked conversations, and gone viral across social media platforms. But beyond the humor and spectacle lies an extraordinary opportunity: to channel this moment of global attention toward urgent amphibian conservation efforts and peaceful activism.
SAVE THE FROGS! is a 501(c)(3) public charity that neither endorses nor opposes political candidates. We do however support and contribute to informed participation in democracy and the defense of our planet and its inhabitants. Learn more about SAVE THE FROGS! here.
The Portland Frog: Symbol of Nonviolent Resistance
The Portland Frog emerged during high-profile protests as a peaceful, humorous symbol of resistance. Protesters donning frog costumes and inflatable frog suits have created striking visual imagery that resonates across news outlets and social media. The frog has become emblematic of nonviolent protest, representing creative resistance to perceived governmental overreach while maintaining a lighthearted, approachable presence.
This isn’t the first time frogs have symbolized resistance and hope. SAVE THE FROGS! volunteers held the world’s first protest on behalf of amphibian populations in 2009. During Hong Kong’s 2019 democracy protests, Pepe The Frog was adopted as an icon of peaceful resistance, reimagined by protesters as a symbol of solidarity and freedom. Today, the Portland Frog continues this tradition, reminding us that amphibians can unite people around shared values of peace, democracy, and environmental stewardship.
“This is so great for many reasons! Support for the Portland Frog guys and may they stay safe!” – Susan C.
From Protest Symbol to Conservation Movement
While the Portland Frog captures attention in support of First Amendment peaceful protest, real frogs worldwide face an existential crisis. Amphibians are the most rapidly disappearing group of vertebrates on Earth, with over 200 species driven to extinction in recent decades. Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and deadly diseases like chytridiomycosis threaten thousands more species.
The viral attention surrounding frog-costumed protesters presents a unique window of opportunity. SAVE THE FROGS! seeks YOUR assistance to leverage this moment to redirect public energy toward actionable conservation, transforming symbolic frogs into ambassadors for real amphibians in crisis.
Frogs, Creativity, and the Power of Art
The Portland Frog phenomenon demonstrates how frogs inspire creativity and imagination. From inflatable costumes to protest signs featuring amphibian imagery, frogs are helping people express themselves in bold, memorable ways.
This creative energy aligns perfectly with SAVE THE FROGS!’ mission to inspire environmental action through art and education. Our annual SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest has showcased thousands of frog-inspired artworks from students and artists worldwide in over 100 countries, proving that amphibians spark imagination across all ages and cultures.
Art by Andreanna Damso, 2011 SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest
Speaking of famous frogs, we encourage you to check out our Pepe The Frog webpage. Pepe has often been misunderstood and misused, but was created by Matt Furie (artist and SAVE THE FROGS! donor) as a chill, peaceful character. Like the Portland Frog, Pepe reminds us that frogs can be powerful cultural symbols that bring people together, transcending their original contexts to represent hope, humor, and humanity.
How You Can Join The Frogs For Peace Movement
SAVE THE FROGS! supports democracy, peace, and amphibian conservation, and since you’re still reading this page, you likely do as well!
Whether you’re attending a rally, gathering with friends, or simply engaging with your community, here are meaningful ways to leverage the Portland Frog moment for both peace and amphibian conservation:
Join The Million Frog March
SAVE THE FROGS! is organizing the Million Frog March in Washington, DC, November 15th, 2025. Join us in defense of democracy, peace, freedom of speech, amphibian conservation and environmental protection. Or organize a satellite event in your city!
Educate At Rallies and Public Gatherings
- Wear frog costumes with conservation messaging: Add signs or patches to your frog attire highlighting threats to real amphibians.
- Order some SAVE THE FROGS! merchandise from the SAVE THE FROGS! Gift Shop. You will get cool frog-themed goodies and be helping fund STF! worldwide amphibian conservation efforts.
- Distribute educational materials: Hand out SAVE THE FROGS! info sheets explaining why amphibian conservation matters
- Create dual-purpose protest signs: Combine your political message with amphibian facts and conservation calls-to-action
- Use hashtags strategically: Share your frog protest photos with #FrogsForPeace, #SaveTheFrogs, and #PortlandFrog to connect movements, and be sure to tag @savethefrogs so your followers can find our social media channels.
Take Action In Your Community
- Host “Frogs For Peace” educational events: Organize gatherings where people can learn about both civic engagement and amphibian conservation
- Create frog-themed art: Submit artwork to the SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest or display frog art at local venues with conservation messaging
- Build backyard ponds: Create amphibian habitat in your yard or community spaces—a peaceful, lasting contribution to frog survival. Take the SAVE THE FROGS! Academy Wetlands Course.
- Organize costume-making workshops: Teach people to create frog costumes while discussing civic engagement, nonviolent protest and amphibian conservation methods.
Spread The Word Through Social Media
- Share viral frog content with conservation context: When you see Portland Frog videos or images, add comments about amphibian extinctions and link to savethefrogs.com
- Create memes with meaning: Develop frog memes that are both humorous and educational about conservation issues
- Tag SAVE THE FROGS!: When posting frog-related protest or peace content, tag @savethefrogs (Instagram, Blue Sky, X) to amplify cross-movement visibility
- Host virtual events: Organize online gatherings where people in frog costumes can learn about amphibian conservation and activism. Contact us if you want a STF! scientist to join your event.
Teachers: Educate Your Students
- Connect current events to science lessons: Teachers can use the Portland Frog phenomenon to introduce amphibian biology, ecology, and conservation
- Organize frog-themed civic engagement projects: Help students understand both democratic participation and environmental stewardship
- Celebrate Save The Frogs Day April 28th Every Year: Organize Save The Frogs Day events that combine peaceful activism with amphibian education
Art by Tony Gutierrez, Age 10, 2011 SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest
Why This Moment Matters
The Portland Frog represents something profound: the intersection of civic engagement, creative expression, and environmental awareness. When protesters choose a frog as their symbol, they’re highlighting creatures that desperately need our attention and protection.
Frogs are indicator species—their health reflects the health of entire ecosystems. They control insect populations, serve as food for other wildlife, and contribute to scientific breakthroughs in medicine. When we protect frogs, we protect biodiversity, clean water, and functional ecosystems that all life depends upon. Here a lots of reasons why frogs are important and worth saving.
By connecting the symbolic power of the Portland Frog with urgent conservation needs, we can transform viral moments into lasting change. We can build bridges between political activism and environmental action, showing that protecting democracy and protecting nature are complementary goals.
“Give me ribberty or give me death!”
“United we ribbit, divided we croak.”
Resources for Frog-Powered Activism
SAVE THE FROGS! provides numerous resources to help you turn frog enthusiasm into conservation action:
- Educational Materials: Download free fact sheets, posters, and presentations in SAVE THE FROGS! Academy. Access online courses about amphibian conservation (free 28-day trial)
- Save The Frogs Day: Join the world’s largest amphibian education and conservation event every April 28th
- Art Contest: Submit or view inspiring frog artwork from around the world
- Local Chapters: Connect with SAVE THE FROGS! chapters and amphibian conservation groups in your area
Our Values: Democracy, Peace, and Conservation
When the truths we have long held to be self-evident become obscured by corrosive forces, it is our duty to restate, reaffirm, clarify, and re-express them. At SAVE THE FROGS!, we believe that protecting amphibians goes hand in hand with defending democracy, free speech, and the freedoms that allow us to advocate for the natural world.
SAVE THE FROGS! supports democratic institutions, rule of law, freedom of speech, and the right to gather and protest nonviolently. These values are inseparable from environmental conservation—both require engaged citizens, open dialogue, and collective action toward shared goals.
As you participate in demonstrations, community events, or online activism, we encourage you to treat your fellow citizens with respect, prioritize safety, and channel your energy toward constructive solutions. Whether you’re advocating for political change, environmental protection, or both, peaceful engagement creates lasting impact.
And remember:
Together we can SAVE THE FROGS!
Peace frog art by 2014 SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest Grand Prize Winner Nick Gustafson of Portland, Oregon.
2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest Grand Prize Winner Jiwoo Yoon, South Korea
Scenes from Paris No Kings event, October 2025.
Musicians For Frogs
Be sure to check out all the amazing frog-themed music on our Musicians For Frogs page!
The Psychology of The Portland Frogs
In the video below, Dr. Geoff Grammer explains how humor and absurdity in the frog costumes act as psychological resistance, breaking down narratives of fear and aggression. The tactic serves as a form of emotional aikido, turning projected aggression into parody and maintaining a sense of psychological and political freedom.
Take Action Today
The Portland Frog moment won’t last forever, but the amphibian extinction crisis will continue unless we act. Here’s how to get started right now:
- Share this article with friends, family, and fellow activists
- Plan a frog-themed event for your next gathering, rally, or classroom
- Build a backyard pond to create amphibian habitat in your community
- Donate to SAVE THE FROGS! to support global amphibian conservation efforts
- Learn more about the threats facing amphibians and solutions throughout the SAVE THE FROGS! website.
- Join Save The Frogs Day 2026 on April 28th: our volunteers will be organizing worldwide amphibian education events.
The Portland Frog has given us a gift: a moment when millions of people are thinking about frogs, sharing frog images, and embracing frogs as symbols of hope and resistance. Let’s honor that moment by ensuring real frogs—and the ecosystems they represent—survive and thrive for generations to come.
Frogs for peace. Frogs for the planet. Frogs for our future.
Learn more about amphibian conservation, find educational resources, and discover how you can make a difference at savethefrogs.com
What Our Supporters Say
“You guys have it right. I have made donations to many causes through the years (all of them animal rights or environmental). I am most impressed with how you run your organization, out of all of them. You are caring people. Every time I contact you, I get a personal response — usually from Kerry! Unbelievable. I don’t have unlimited funds; but when I do have some extra, I send it to you. Thank you for everything you do. Wish I lived closer so that I could lend a physical hand, too! Peace.”
“I relocated from Pittsburgh, PA, to a very rural town during the beginning of the pandemic. Much to my delight, a wetland sits comfortably on the opposite side of the street from my house. Innumerable frogs inhabit this wetland and sing beautifully each night during the summer months. I find their presence on my property peaceful, and I wouldn’t rather have anything living beside me as they. I take great refuge in the fact that they roam peacefully around my location for so many months, and I have thusly fallen in love with these beautiful creatures. As such, since SAVE THE FROGS works to protect these amphibians and educate communities on their significance, I would like to reciprocate that valuable work in a way that I am proven to be successful in to do my part for your wonderful mission.”
