Watch your step from March-June when the eggs and tadpoles are at their most vulnerable to hikers and their pets!

The foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) is native to parts of the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed and is listed as both a federal and state species of "special concern,” which means its population is declining. The foothill yellow-legged frog has disappeared from more than 45 percent of its historic range in Oregon and California due to:

• habitat loss and degradation,
• disease and
• introduction of exotic predators.

MMWD needs help from the community to stop the decline and help restore a healthy population within the watershed. Each year, we train docents to monitor habitat conditions and to educate hikers at Little Carson Falls, a popular hiking destination located about five miles outside of Fairfax and a breeding area for the foothill yellow-legged frog. Docents monitor the falls between March and June each year when the eggs and tadpoles are at their most vulnerable.

Volunteer docents are asked to commit to three 4-hour shifts between mid-March and early June. No previous experience or special knowledge is required. Frog docents must be at least 18 years old.

Becoming a frog docent is a great way to get outdoors, have an extraordinary volunteer experience, and contribute to public understanding and protection of this native species. Yearly training is offered in February or March.

Frog Docent Training - Saturday, March 2, 2013

No special skills or experience are needed! Just come to our training at Sky Oaks Ranger Station outside Fairfax, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sat., March 2, 2013 with enthusiasm, a water bottle and ready to hike. Pre-registration is required. Contact volunteerprogram@marinwater.org, 415-945-1128.

Must be 18 or older and capable of strenuous hiking.

How did we do? 2012 Frog Docent Program Results

As of June 3rd, the docent program for 2012 has come to a close because the most vulnerable period for the eggs and tadpoles is from March through June and the wacky rainy season led the frogs to end their breeding season early. Although the frogs need protection from unsuspecting hikers and their dogs all year long, the tadpoles have hatched and are growing. MMWD would like to thank our 2012 docents for their extraordinary commitment of time and effort in helping monitor the frogs and educate the public. Thank you Anne, Bruce, Colette, Emily, Jim, Katherine, Lorri, Mary, Mathew, Merna, Peter B., Peter D., Rachel and Ruthann.

• Number of volunteers trained: 17
• Number of participating volunteers: 12
• Number of hours volunteered: 169
• Number of interactions with hikers and their dogs: 429 and 52, respectively
• Number of FYLFs seen on average per docent shift: 3

More reading:  

Frog Docent Season Summary 2012 by Americorps Intern Michael Horwitz

Monitoring Report, Fall 2009-Fall 2011 by Garcia and Associates for MMWD (This is a large file--13MB--and may take a long time to open.)

Frog Docent Season Summary 2011 by Americorps Intern Grace Graham

Volunteer Frog Docents Needed on Mt. Tamalpais Watershed by Americorps Intern Grace Graham

Help Protect Mt. Tam’s Native Frogs and Turtles by Americorps Intern Kathryn Deery

For Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs, it’s that Time of Year by Americorps Intern Marisa Evans