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Protecting Mexico’s Amphibian Biodiversity Through Education, Art, and Science
SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico is dedicated to amphibian conservation through education, research, and community engagement. In Villahermosa, Tabasco we have been protecting Mexico’s rich amphibian biodiversity by empowering local communities, especially youth, to become environmental stewards. We organize awareness campaigns, habitat clean-ups, school workshops, artistic events, and citizen science projects that highlight the ecological importance of frogs and the threats they face.
Through a combination of science, culture, and creativity, SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico aims to inspire lasting conservation actions that benefit both amphibians and people.
This page details SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico’s successes in Tabasco through its environmental education and community engagement project that took place between August and October 2025.
Meet David Montiel: Biologist, Poet, and Conservation Leader
David Montiel is a Mexican biologist, environmental poet, creative artist, and singer deeply committed to biodiversity conservation through education and the arts. Since 2024, he has served as President of SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico in Villahermosa, Tabasco – a region rich in amphibian diversity but heavily impacted by environmental degradation.
David’s work blends science and art to inspire communities toward action. As a writer of environmental poetry, he uses storytelling and performance to connect emotionally with people and raise awareness about the urgent need to protect frogs and their habitats. He regularly presents at environmental forums, leads conservation campaigns, and creates educational materials that resonate with youth and the general public.
Since 2012, David has been proudly involved with the SAVE THE FROGS! community in Mexico, organizing and hosting three editions of Save The Frogs Day. These events have brought together students, educators, scientists, and artists to celebrate amphibians and advocate for their conservation through workshops, poetry readings, art exhibits, and habitat protection activities.
Project Overview: Building a Conservation Culture in Tabasco
With support from a $1,595 SAVE THE FROGS! Amphibian Conservation Award, David Montiel and SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico implemented a comprehensive environmental education project from August to October 2025. The project reached hundreds of students across Villahermosa and surrounding areas in Tabasco state, combining classroom education with hands-on field experiences.
Project Goals:
- Promote knowledge of amphibian conservation and protection in Mexico through participatory strategies and dynamic learning activities
- Foster direct engagement with local biodiversity through guided amphibian observation tours
- Empower youth to become environmental advocates in their communities
- Raise awareness about the ecological importance of amphibians and the threats they face
Environmental Education Talks: Reaching 390 Students Across 7 Institutions
Total Sessions: 8
Students Reached: 390
Institutions Served:
- Universidad Tec Milenio
- Colegio de Bachilleres de Tabasco
- Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Comalcalco
- Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
- Instituto Tecnológico de La Venta
- Colegio Francisco Gabilondo Soler
- Colegio Champal
What Students Learned
Each educational session included three core components designed to make amphibian conservation engaging, interactive, and memorable:
1. Informative Presentation on SAVE THE FROGS!
Students learned about SAVE THE FROGS!’s mission, the ecological importance of amphibians, and the critical threats facing frogs in Mexico and worldwide. The presentations connected local biodiversity to global conservation challenges, helping students understand their role in protecting amphibians.
2. Interactive Games and Team-Building Activities
Specially designed activities reinforced environmental concepts, promoted collaborative learning, and facilitated meaningful engagement with conservation topics. These dynamic exercises helped students connect emotionally with amphibian conservation while developing teamwork skills.
3. Amphibian Species Identification Workshop
Practical sessions where participants learned to recognize local amphibian species, their biological characteristics, and their ecological importance. Students gained hands-on experience identifying frogs native to Tabasco, understanding their unique adaptations and roles in healthy ecosystems.
Results from Educational Sessions
- Increased Interest in Amphibian Conservation: Students demonstrated heightened awareness and enthusiasm for protecting local frog populations
- Active Participation: All activities generated strong engagement from students across age groups and academic backgrounds
- Teacher Follow-Up Requests: Educators requested additional sessions and ongoing collaboration, demonstrating the program’s impact and relevance
- Student Empowerment: Young people gained knowledge and confidence to become environmental advocates in their schools and communities
Guided Amphibian Observation Tours: Connecting Youth with Nature
Location: Saraguato Ecological Park, Villahermosa, Tabasco
Number of Tours: 3
Total Participants: 18
The Saraguato Ecological Park, located on the outskirts of Villahermosa, is a vital green space supporting diverse amphibian species and providing an ideal setting for environmental education and direct contact with nature.
Tour Experience
Guided nighttime excursions offered participants an immersive experience observing amphibians in their natural habitat. Led by David Montiel and trained volunteers, each tour included:
Interpretive Night Walks
Participants explored the park’s trails after dark, when amphibians are most active. The nocturnal setting created an exciting, memorable experience that deepened participants’ connection to local ecosystems.
Species Identification in the Field
Using flashlights and field guides, participants learned to identify native amphibian species by sight and sound. This hands-on approach developed practical identification skills and fostered appreciation for biodiversity.
Behavioral and Morphological Education
David explained frog behaviors, mating calls, and physical characteristics observed during the tours. Participants learned how to distinguish species based on vocalizations, body patterns, and ecological niches.
Habitat Conservation Awareness
Tours emphasized the importance of conserving both aquatic and terrestrial habitats for amphibian survival. Participants discussed threats to local ecosystems and practical conservation actions they could take.
Tour Results
- Direct Species Observation: Participants observed multiple amphibian species in their natural habitat, creating powerful, lasting impressions
- Identification Skills Development: Participants gained basic field skills for recognizing local amphibian species
- Enhanced Environmental Awareness: Direct nature contact significantly increased participants’ understanding of ecosystem health and conservation needs
- Community Connection: Tours strengthened bonds between urban youth and natural areas, fostering stewardship of local biodiversity
Amphibian Species Benefiting from Conservation Education
Several native amphibian species found in and around Saraguato Ecological Park serve as focal species for conservation education:
Rana Arborícola Vermiculada (Typhonius vermiculatus)
This large terrestrial frog plays a vital role in controlling insect populations and serves as an important prey species for larger predators.
Mexican Tree Frog (Smilisca baudinii)
A common arboreal species recognizable to local residents, this adaptable frog thrives in various habitats and serves as an excellent educational ambassador.
Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis taylori)
This iconic species, with its vibrant coloration and striking red eyes, captivates participants and symbolizes the beauty and fragility of tropical rainforest ecosystems.
These species were chosen because they are locally present, recognizable to participants, and serve as excellent indicators of environmental health. By raising awareness about these frogs and their habitats, the project promotes habitat protection, reduces human pressures such as pollution and habitat disturbance, and fosters local pride in Tabasco’s biodiversity.
The Project Team: Youth Leading Youth
The project was led by biologist David Montiel, who served as project coordinator and main facilitator. David was responsible for overall planning, execution, and evaluation of educational activities, as well as leading conservation talks and training the volunteer team.
The team included 11 university students from Universidad Tec Milenio, Villahermosa campus, aged 18-21 years old, pursuing degrees in Software Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering. These students participated as volunteer educators, supporting workshop delivery, engaging directly with high school students, and helping design interactive educational materials.
Together, the team brought a powerful combination of scientific knowledge, technological skills, creativity, and youthful energy to inspire the local student audience.
Project Impact and Success
The activities conducted between August and October 2025 strengthened the message of amphibian conservation and significantly increased community engagement, especially among young people, regarding the ecological value of these species.
Key Achievements:
- Reached 390 students across 7 educational institutions through 8 interactive sessions
- Conducted 3 guided nighttime amphibian observation tours with 18 participants
- Developed replicable educational models for future conservation programs
- Created a network of trained young volunteers prepared to continue conservation education
- Generated strong demand from educators for ongoing collaboration
- Fostered direct connections between urban youth and natural ecosystems
- Empowered students to become environmental advocates in their communities
The dynamic educational activities and guided tours created meaningful experiences and fostered genuine environmental commitment among participants. Many students expressed interest in continuing their involvement with SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico and pursuing conservation-related studies or careers.
Project Funding:
This project was supported by a $1,595 SAVE THE FROGS! Amphibian Conservation Award to SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico.
Looking Forward: Continuing the Mission
David Montiel and SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico plan to continue and expand these successful activities with the generous support of SAVE THE FROGS!, made possible by donations from conservation-minded individuals worldwide.
“It would be a true honor for me to continue collaborating with SAVE THE FROGS! and contributing to its mission here in Mexico,” David shares. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Kerry Kriger for his leadership, vision, and outstanding global work in amphibian conservation. His dedication is a true inspiration to me, and it motivates me every day to engage young people, protect biodiversity, and raise awareness about the urgent need to save the frogs.”
Future plans include:
- Expanding educational programs to additional schools and communities across Tabasco
- Organizing more guided amphibian observation tours to deepen community connections with nature
- Hosting Save The Frogs Day celebrations and artistic events combining poetry, music, and conservation
- Developing citizen science projects that engage communities in amphibian monitoring
- Creating educational materials and resources for teachers across southeastern Mexico
Follow SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico
Stay connected with SAVE THE FROGS! Mexico and learn about our conservation and education programs, and upcoming events:
Instagram: @savethefrogsmexico
Support Amphibian Conservation in Mexico
Projects like this are made possible through the generosity of SAVE THE FROGS! donors who believe in empowering local conservation leaders worldwide. Your support helps fund educational programs, habitat protection, and community engagement initiatives that create lasting change for amphibians.
Donate to SAVE THE FROGS! to support future conservation grants in Mexico and around the world.
Learn more about SAVE THE FROGS! Grants and how we support amphibian conservation projects globally.
Photo Gallery
Enjoy these images from Villahermosa!
