Million Frog March: Washington DC (November 15, 2025)
Million Frog March Makes History at the Lincoln Memorial
The inaugural Million Frog March brought together 65 passionate advocates for amphibian conservation, environmental protection, and democracy at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on Saturday, November 15th, 2025. Under beautiful weather conditions on the National Mall, participants dressed in frog-themed clothing and inflatable frog and axolotl costumes gathered to make their voices heard – and educated hundreds of curious tourists in the process.
SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and some attendees at the Washington Monument during the inaugural Million Frog March.
“Having been a frog lover for decades, it was amazing to gather with other like-mind frog lovers. Thanks for organizing this and I look forward to attending many more froggy events. Happy Thanksgiving! – Nan R.
A Day of Education, Activism, and Celebration
What began as a planned gathering quickly became an impromptu educational event for the National Mall’s Saturday afternoon visitors. Tourists passing by stopped to ask questions, intrigued by the colorful frog costumes, creative signs, and passionate speeches about protecting both amphibians and democratic values.
“We couldn’t have asked for better engagement,” said SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger. “People were genuinely curious about why we were there, what threatens frogs, and how they could help. That’s exactly the kind of awareness we hoped to create.”
The inaugural Million Frog March arrives at the Washington Monument
Dr. Kriger’s Address: Origins, Threats, and Hope
Dr. Kriger delivered a comprehensive address covering the origins of the Million Frog March, the organization’s vision for growing the movement in 2026, and the critical threats facing amphibians worldwide. He outlined how average people can take action to protect frogs through reducing their ecological footprint, restoring wetlands and degraded habitats and supporting conservation legislation.
The speech also highlighted SAVE THE FROGS!’s long history of activism in Washington, DC, including the organization’s legislative achievements and previous demonstrations – most notably the landmark protest at the US Environmental Protection Agency calling for a ban on Atrazine, a harmful herbicide that causes hermaphroditism in male frogs.
Dr. Kriger addressed a significant number of threats to the environment and to democratic institutions that have emerged this year, reinforcing the march’s core message: healthy ecosystems and healthy democracies are inseparable.
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Music, Poetry, and Patriotic Spirit
The event opened with Dr. Kriger performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on bansuri (bamboo flute), setting a tone of peaceful patriotism and reverence for both American values and the natural world.
Participants were treated to original SAVE THE FROGS! music created by two talented musicians a world apart: Diane Baker from Michigan, and Hills Morgan from Uganda. Both have written frog-themed songs that celebrate amphibian conservation and inspire action.
Dr. Kriger recited frog poetry submissions from past years’ SAVE THE FROGS! Poetry Contests, blending art and activism to highlight the beauty and ecological importance of amphibians (a PDF of the poetry is available further down this page).
Creative Signage and Visual Impact
Participants arrived with creative, handmade signs connecting environmental protection with democratic values. The colorful messages emphasized the importance of protecting frogs, preserving biodiversity, defending public lands, securing clean water and air, and safeguarding the democratic institutions that make environmental protection possible.
The visual spectacle of inflatable frog and axolotl costumes, vibrant signs, and frog-themed attire created a family-friendly, engaging atmosphere that drew tourists into conversations about conservation.
Educational Materials and Frog-Themed Gifts
SAVE THE FROGS! distributed educational materials to attendees and curious tourists, helping spread awareness about amphibian conservation far beyond the 65 registered participants. Attendees received frog-themed gifts including wristbands, necklaces, temporary toad tattoos and stickers – mementos of a historic day and tools for continuing conversations about protecting frogs.
March to the Washington Monument
After speeches and a group photo shoot at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, participants marched to the Washington Monument to the beat of Dr. Kriger’s drum. The procession symbolized forward momentum – a commitment to continue advocating for frogs, the environment, and democracy.
After a final group photo and saying our goodbyes, Dr. Kriger was interviewed by a podcaster from American University and a documentary film crew from Hofstra University.
Art And Activism: Poetry For The Frogs
Dr. Kriger performed a moving poetry recital featuring works from past SAVE THE FROGS! Poetry Contest winners. The collection included powerful pieces from young poets and adults alike, addressing themes of amphibian conservation, environmental destruction, and the urgent need for action. From Samantha Kelley’s determination to educate the world “from Washington to Prague, on the strife of death and life for each and every frog” to Melissa Parnagian’s rallying cry to “Leap For Change,” the poems reminded attendees why frogs matter – and why we must act now to save them.
Download The Million Frog March Poetry Recital PDF Here!
The Grievances That Impel Us To March
Dr. Kriger’s speech detailed the specific grievances that compelled participants to march: documented threats to our environment and to our democracy that have emerged since January 20th, 2025. These lists represent the reasons we gathered at the Lincoln Memorial – and why we will continue to march. Read and download both lists below.
Download The Threats To The Environment PDF Here!
Download The Threats To Democracy PDF Here!
Looking Ahead: The Next Million Frog March
The success of the inaugural Million Frog March has energized organizers and participants alike. The movement has already begun to spread globally, with two satellite Million Frog March events taking place in Pakistan, demonstrating that the connection between environmental protection and democratic values resonates worldwide.
The next Million Frog March is scheduled to take place on Saturday April 25th, 2026!
We look forward to expanded participation and events in additional satellite events in cities across the USA and around the world.
“This is just the beginning,” Dr. Kriger emphasized. “We’re building a movement that recognizes you can’t have healthy ecosystems without healthy democracies. The frogs need us to keep marching – and we will.”
Photo by filmmaker Arlo Lachenmeyer
Why The Million Frog March Matters
Amphibians worldwide face extinction from habitat destruction, pesticides and pollution, climate change, and over-harvesting for the pet and food trades. At the same time, the democratic institutions that protect environmental regulations and scientific integrity are under unprecedented threat.
The Million Frog March connects these struggles, asserting that protecting biodiversity and protecting democracy are inseparable causes. When democracies fail, environmental protections disappear. When environments collapse, human freedoms and self-determination erode.
Video From The Million Frog March
Enjoy these scenes from the Million Frog March in Washington DC, November 15th, 2025!
In the video below, SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger is interviewed by an American University podcaster at the conclusion of the Million Frog March:
“We cannot have healthy ecosystems if there’s no democracy. Our lands would get sold off to the highest bidder, corporate polluters… We need government by the people, for the people, of the people. So, we’re here protecting democracy and frogs.” – STF! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger
Video of Million Frog Marchers, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument
Event Photos
Enjoy these images taken by Million Frog Marchers! You can click any image to expand it and open the slideshow viewer.
Enjoy these images taken by Arlo Lachenmeyer, a Hoftsra University filmmaker who drove down from New York with his team of five film students to document the event. Arlo held his first Save The Frogs Day event when he was eight years old!
Enjoy these images taken (mostly) by SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger, who has been educating Washingtonians about amphibian conservation since 2009.
Join The Movement
Whether you’re a frog enthusiast, environmental advocate, democracy defender, or simply someone who cares about the future of our planet, the Million Frog March welcomes you.
Learn more about upcoming SAVE THE FROGS! events here.
Together, we will not be silenced – and neither will the frogs!
What Million Frog Marchers Say
“…a good excuse to put on a frog costume and go out in public.”
– Holly Berkley Fletcher
