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Introduction
SAVE THE FROGS! recruited volunteers to help build a wetland for Illinois Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris illinoensis) in the Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois. The event took place April 27th and 28th, 2023 in celebration of the the 15th Annual Save The Frogs Day! What better way to celebrate the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation than in a beautiful wildlife refuge with fellow amphibian enthusiasts?
Volunteers got hands-on ecological experience and learned a tremendous amount about wetland construction and restoration, as well as amphibian ecology and conservation. Attendees had the opportunity to help build a wetland, learn about the rare Illinois Chorus Frog and its unique sand prairie habitat, and explore life in a wetland.
The project was led by wetland expert Tom Biebighauser, who has been training SAVE THE FROGS! staff and volunteers since 2014 and has built over 2,850 wetlands. Tom is the Founder of Wetland Restoration and Training LLC and Co-Founder of the Sheltowee Environmental Education Coalition. SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and biologist Steph Bishir of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be assisting with logistics, educational activities, volunteer coordination and communicating the project to the general public.
There was no cost to participate.
Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris illinoiensis) photo by Jacob Cackowski
Photos
Enjoy these photos from the April 27th and April 28th, 2023 wetland construction events at Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois!
Illinois Chorus Frogs Wetland Construction: Project Info
The Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge is a fabulous place for nature, wildlife and outdoor activities.
You’re invited to help build a wetland for the threatened Illinois Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris illinoensis). The wetland construction site is in the refuge, which has a past history of farming activities that have degraded the amphibian habitat. The wetland we will build is one of 12 that have been designed, many of which are scheduled to be built in March 2023.
Tom Biebighauser will be onsite directing the construction of the wetlands. SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and Steph Bishir of the USFWS will be on site leading educational activities.
Your volunteer participation will directly assist Illinois Chorus Frogs!
Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris illinoiensis) from the Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge.
A wetland that was built in March 2023.
“The liner wetlands are looking good. The clay wetlands had an amazing bloom of native plants this summer. If you remember, it was completely taken over with reed canary grass before. I’m hoping the natives will stay strong and continue to keep out the reed canary.” – Steph Bishir, USFWS
2024 Project Update
Steph Bishir of the USFWS sent in this project update in mid-August 2024:
“While we did not see any Illinois chorus frog use at the wetlands this year, all of the liner wetlands did have tadpoles and successful metamorphs of other amphibian species, including the plains leopard frog and fowler’s toad. In addition to the amphibians, we also saw a lot of other wildlife use these wetlands, including the state-threatened regal fritillary butterfly. Deer, shorebirds, and racoons were also observed. These wetlands are still new, and I’m optimistic about Illinois chorus frog use in the future as these wetlands become more established. Thank you again for your hard work in making these wetlands a success.”
What Volunteers Will Learn
You will learn how to build naturally appearing and functioning wetlands for the Illinois Chorus Frogs and other rare species.
Tom Biebighauser will explain how to use a laser level, tape measure, and soil auger to design wetlands, and how to dig a basin for a wetland, lay in an aquatic-safe plastic liner, cover it with soil and seed the new wetland with native vegetation. You will learn Tom’s highly effective techniques for building low-cost, naturally-appearing and functioning wetlands that require little to no maintenance.
Past projects that Tom has partnered with SAVE THE FROGS! for include Tahoe National Forest, Eldorado National Forest, Elgin, AZ and Baja, Mexico.
Aside from our focus on Illinois Chorus Frogs, we will also learn about and look for Small-Mouthed Salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) and Eastern Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum). And we may go dip-netting for invertebrates.
“This is going to be fun!” – Tom Biebighauser
Illinois Chorus Frogs habitat, Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois
Volunteering Specifics
We need your help building these wetlands. You’ll be actively engaged in hands-on training to create breeding habitat for Illinois Chorus Frogs.
Our goal is that you help on site and also get inspired to build wetlands on your own, using what you learn at this event in combination with the detailed information in Tom Biebighauser’s book “Wetland Restoration And Construction – A Technical Guide”, and the SAVE THE FROGS! Academy Wetlands Course.
There is no fee to register or to participate in this training.
Participants must pay for their own food, travel, and lodging. There are a number of hotels located in Jacksonville, IL, about a 20-minute drive from the refuge; at Jim Edgar Panther Creek (a 30-minute drive), there are tent sites and cabins.
Bring gloves, a garden rake, high visibility vest, and hardhat if you have them (we plan to have extras you may borrow). Bring your own lunch and water. Dress warm and bring a raincoat. Rain pants can come in handy too!
There has never been a better time to get outside, breathe the fresh air and do something beneficial for the planet, so we hope you can attend!
Below is a map of the event location (the green triangle), about seven miles north of the town of Meredosia, IL. We will be restoring a wetland at Kloker Prairie, in the Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge.
Spread The Word
This training is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to build wetlands, including biologists, students, teachers, kids, heavy equipment operators, consultants, engineers, soil scientists, hydrologists, and private land owners. Please share this webpage with others who might be interested!
Volunteer Expression Of Interest Form
If you are interested in participating in this project, please complete the Volunteer Expression of Interest Form below so we know the days you are available. We will be in touch once we hear from you.
Sand Prairie Habitat in the Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois
Meet The Project Leaders
Tom Beibighauser
Tom Biebighauser has restored over 2,850 wetlands and streams across Canada, in 26 States, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and Taiwan, since 1979. He has developed highly effective and low-cost techniques for building wetlands and streams for endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. Tom retired from the US Forest Service in 2013, after working 34 years as a Wildlife Biologist, where he initiated wetland and stream restoration programs across the United States. Having built over 1,400 dams, he has since decommissioned over 300 dams. Tom instructs a Graduate-level class on Wetland Design at the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering, along with classes for the University of Alberta and the British Columbia Institute Technology. He has written four books about wetland restoration, and has received 44 awards for his outstanding contributions.
Wetland biologist Tom Biebighauser
Dr. Kerry Kriger
Dr. Kerry Kriger is the Founder & Executive Director of SAVE THE FROGS!. He conceived Save The Frogs Day, the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation action, and has given over 450 presentations on amphibian conservation in 20+ countries. Dr. Kriger holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Griffith University in Gold Coast, Australia, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. He is a recognized expert on the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, a topic on which he has published 20 articles in peer-reviewed international scientific journals. Dr. Kriger is also the Founder of Nonprofit ICU, through which he provides consulting and mentorship to nonprofit executives, and Zero2Webmaster, a web design agency with a special interest in creating websites dedicated to environmental protection.
SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger atop the mirador in Jardin Botanico San Jorge, Ibague, Tolima, Colombia, February 2023.
Stephanie Bishir
Stephanie has served as a Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 2016. She has worked with a number of Refuges in the Midwest, including Big Stone NWR, St. Croix WMD, and Big Oaks NWR. Stephanie holds an M.S. degree from Southeast Missouri State University, where her studies focused on wood frog movements and habitat use. She continues to have a keen interest in amphibian conservation, and is working to improve amphibian habitat and increase the presence of the state-threatened Illinois Chorus frog on the Refuge. She also works on a variety of other projects and surveys throughout the year, including waterfowl and shorebird migration counts, invasive plant species control, tree plantings, and prescribed fires. You can contact Stephanie at: stephanie_bishir@fws.gov
Phone: 309-535-2290 ext.12
Steph Bishir (orange hat) with Emily Hodapp (red jacket) designing Kloker Prairie Wetland Number 8, which we expect to build on the 15th Annual Save The Frogs Day (April 28th, 2023)!
Save The Frogs Day
This wetland restoration and training event is being held in celebration of Save The Frogs Day, the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation action! Be sure to check out the Save The Frogs Day homepage and the 2023 Save The Frogs Day webpage as well.
“I’ve loved frogs since I was a kid and as an adult I have a huge appreciation for the role both they and their wetland habitats play in our ecological systems.”
– Chris Schwartz, Wetland Vounteer and Frog Artist
Award-winning frog art from the 2022 SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest by Fanni Antalné Sándor, Hungary.
Relevant Webpages
- In Search of the Illinois Chorus Frog
- MDOC Illinois Chorus Frog page
- Save The Frogs Day at Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois article by Lenore Sobota
Wetland in the Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois
Project Leader Stephanie Bishir standing by one of four wetlands built at Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois in March 2023. Photo by Lenore Sobota
