News Release Archive
NS MUSEUM--FROGWATCH WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Frogwatch program at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History has won the 1996 Canadian Museums Association Award for outstanding Achievement in the Presentation category. Frogwatch competed against 39 other nominees from across the country, essentially making it the best museum program in Canada. Frogwatch is a hands-on natural science project in which thousands of people of all ages help record the coming of spring and monitor amphibian populations and wetland habitats in Nova Scotia. The project increases public awareness of science and nature while gathering important data. Information was carefully collected and reported weekly to the Frogwatch headquarters at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax. Currently, scientists are wondering if there are fewer amphibians and reptiles but are unable to say so for sure. If these animals are in danger, scientists need to know now before it is too late. A healthy wetland and amphibian population also means a healthy environment for people. The Frogwatch program is divided into two parts: The Peeper survey tracks the first spring call of the chorus of the Northern Spring Peeper as they wake from their winter hibernation. The peeper, a tiny tree frog, about the size of a quarter, is rarely seen but often loudly heard. The froglands survey has frogwatchers observing a "frogland", which is basically any wet area - where amphibians (toads, newts and salamanders) live for part of their life cycle. Frog News, the program's newsletter shared the collected data with its participants. With the help of the media, items on first reports of peeping choruses, champion frogwatchers and stories on population numbers were featured. In additional to the obvious scientific benefits, Frogwatch is simple and fun. School children, adults and individuals became involved with nature while making significant contributions. Frogwatch has also developed partnerships and long-term relationships among scientists, museum curators, non-government organizations and educational groups. Laurier Lacroix, chair of the awards committee, said, "Frogwatch met in fine fashion with all of the basic requirements of the association in matter of excellence, spirit of leadership, creativity, and efficient use of resources. In the context of very strong completion, these achievements have allowed your project to stand the merit of the CMA Award." The award was given to project coordinators Sue Brown, Rhea Dawn Mahar and Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History designer, David Carter. The award and its achievements is shared with its participants and partner agencies including; the Clean Nova Scotia Foundation, Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, and Envirosphere Consultants Ltd. -30- NOTE TO EDITORS: The Giant Peeper on the side of Museum of Natural History, Summer Street, will sport a first prize ribbon. The ribbon will be placed on the frog at 1 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 11. Contact: Brenda Boutilier 902-424-6513 trp September 11, 1996 - 9:05 a.m.