Imperiled Amphibians of the West

POSTER: Imperiled Amphibans of the West, May 2003, $3.50 S&H, illustrations by renowned herpetologist Robert Stebbins. This 23" x 36" full-color poster highlights several imperiled frog, toad and salamander species, as well as maps of their current distribution.

Frogs and other amphibians have been making headlines lately due to their declining numbers in the U.S. and around the globe. What many people do not realize, however, is that the West is one of the "hot spots" of decline. As one of the nation's leading river conservation organizations, Pacific Rivers Council is working to increase understanding and appreciation of native amphibians and the serious threats facing them and the watersheds that support them. To help raise awareness about amphibian declines we have produced this poster, Imperiled Amphibians of the West, featuring stunning illustrations by renowned herpetologist Robert Stebbins.

Today, western native amphibians occupy small fractions of their historic ranges, due primarily to habitat loss and competition with introduced non-native species. Despite the widespread interest in amphibian declines, sound amphibian conservation planning is relatively rare. Few plans have been developed, even fewer have been implemented, and native amphibian populations continue to dwindle. As the chart below shows, seven of the featured species are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act, four are candidates for listing, and three are protected under state provisions. Scientists are predicting that two of the species--the relict leopard frog and the mountain yellow-legged frog--likely will be extinct within decades if management of them and their habitats is not improved. There are many more imperiled western amphibians in addition to these that are formally recognized by federal and state wildlife agencies, and their continued survival depends on swift protection of healthy populations and recovery management across their respective ranges.

PRC is working with scientists, conservationists, and concerned citizens to reverse native amphibian declines in the West through improved management of these species and their habitats. We invite you to order this striking poster, and display it as a symbol of your support for native amphibian conservation. Contact info@pacrivers.org or 503-228-3555 to order your poster today, or click the download report link below for a pdf.

To learn more about PRC's Amphibian Protection Program, click here.