Saving The Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs
(Rana boylii)
The Foothill-Yellow Legged Frog (Rana boylii) is an amazing amphibian species that lives in and near rivers throughout California. The species is under threat from hydroelectric and water diversion projects that alter the river’s water temperature, timing of floods, and streambed characteristics. Droughts in California exacerbate the problems for these frogs. Invasive American Bullfrogs prey on Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs and compete with them for habitat and food.
Since 2010 SAVE THE FROGS! has been working to save these frogs via various campaigns described below. We appreciate your tax-deductible donation to SAVE THE FROGS!, which enable us to continue saving these beautiful creatures from the multitude of threats they face.
Foothill Yellow Legged Frogs in amplexus, Marin County, photo courtesy K Marlow
Victory For The Foothill-Yellow Legged Frogs
USFWS Grants FYLF Endangered Species Protections
On August 28th, 2023, the US Fish & Wildlife Service announced that it will provide Endangered Species Act protections to four of the six geographically and genetically distinct population segments (DPS) of the Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog! This comes eight years after SAVE THE FROGS! Dr. Kerry Kriger submitted an official public comment (shown below) to the Service requesting such protections. Better late than never!
Victorious frog art by Amanda Wilson
Dr. Kriger’s 2015 Letter To The USFWS
Below you can read SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger‘s letter to the US Fish & Wildlife Service requesting that they list Rana boylii under the Endangered Species Act. Thank you to Dr. Sarah Kupferberg for her help preparing the letter and for her years of research and advocacy on behalf of the species!
Note that the current SAVE THE FROGS! mailing address can be found on our Contact page.
Four Ways We Are Saving The Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs
“Congratulations on saving the lives of all those little Foothill-Yellow Legged Frogs!”
– SAVE THE FROGS! Member Mindy Meadows
Preventing the City of San Francisco’s attempts to destroy sections of Alameda Creek
The City of San Francisco wanted to build a fish weir on top of FYLF breeding habitat. In 2015, we hired an environmental attorney to send a letter to the City detailing the illegalities of their plan. Within 11 days the City completely cancelled their construction plans!
Saving Tesla Park’s Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs from off-highway vehicles
This biologically rich area was threatened by expansion of off-highway vehicles from nearby Carnegie Vehicular State Recreation Area (60 miles east of San Francisco). We have been working with partner groups such as Friends Of Tesla Park for many years, and have succeeded in preventing California State Parks from allowing off-highway vehicles in Tesla Park!
Working to get Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.
We are pleased to announce that on August 28th, 2023, the USFWS granted Endangered Species Act protections to Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs!
Stopping the importation of American Bullfrogs into California.
Non-native American Bullfrogs eat Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs, spread diseases like chytridiomycosis, and compete with Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs for food and breeding habitat. Since 2010, SAVE THE FROGS! has been educating politicians and the public about the harms caused by California’s annual importation of over 2 million non-native American Bullfrogs. Our goal is a complete cessation of the live bullfrog imports.
What Our Supporters Say
We appreciate your support of our frog saving efforts!
