Leap into saving frogs

Maisie is keen on helping save frogs.

A frog-friendly garden has opened in Maidstone.

The Frog Friendly Habitat Garden at Dobson Kindergarten in Burns Street was created in April as part of a school holiday program run by Maribyrnong council in partnership with Melbourne Water, Newport Lakes Nursery and the kindergarten.

During the opening, pupils and their families and friends learned to create a frog-friendly habitat with indigenous plants.

Melbourne Water’s James Frazer said encouraging frog populations to flourish was important to the eco-system.

“Frogs control insect populations and can also act as an indicator of waterway health as they are sensitive to changes in their habitat,” Mr Frazer said.

“One of the biggest threats to frog populations across Melbourne is a loss of habitat but it is possible to mitigate this by creating homes for frogs in backyards and community gardens. This helps to prevent species loss.”

Melbourne Water is collecting data on frogs via the Frog Census App. The data collected through the program is used to help manage Melbourne’s frog populations and raise awareness of waterway health issues.

Information: www.melbournewater.com.au/frogcensus