About Us
The Amphibian Specialist Group is a global network of dedicated experts who donate their time and expertise to create a community from where practical amphibian conservation can be advanced based on a solid foundation of science. This global network consists of over 600 members in over 40 Regions/Countries enabling the ASG to act on a global scale.
Our Mission
The Amphibian Specialist Group strives to conserve biological diversity by stimulating, developing, and executing practical programs to conserve amphibians and their habitats around the world. This is achieved by supporting a global web of partners to develop funding, capacity and technology transfer to achieve shared, strategic amphibian conservation goals.
How we work
The Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) revealed that almost a third of amphibians is threatened with extinction. In response to these alarming findings, a Summit was convened in Washington, DC in September 2005 to craft a response by the International community. The resultant Declaration outlined four interventions that would be necessary to stem the crisis. It was also recognized that an entity was required to coordinate the implementation of a more comprehensive Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP). The ASG was formed to take on this roll. The ASG is Co-Chaired by Claude Gascon and Jim Collins and consists of a Global Network of some 600 partners. The ASG is responsible for keeping the GAA current to prioritize and support projects around the world to protect critical amphibian habitats. Various funding schemes are also offered for conservation. ASG publications include the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP) and a bimonthly newsletter, Froglog. The ASG is building on the ACAP by catalyzing National and Regional Action Plans to advance amphibian conservation. If you are interested in becoming a member of the ASG, please contact the appropriate Chair for the Region in which you work, or contact us with any questions.
Our History
The Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) sharpened the scientific community’s focus on the worldwide nature and extent of amphibian declines and extinctions (Stuart et al. 2004). The GAA demonstrated that the amphibian crisis is complex and requires a comprehensive set of solutions. While traditional approaches to conservation will continue to form the core of a global strategy, novel approaches will also be required to address threats such as emerging infectious diseases and global climate change. New organizations are needed to respond to declines and extinctions at a global scale.
Under the auspices of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and Conservation International (CI), an International Amphibian Summit was convened in September 2005 in Washington, DC, to devise a global plan for amphibian conservation. The Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP) was the result. Before the Summit, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) focused on promoting amphibian conservation through the Global Amphibian Specialist Group (GASG), on decline-related research through the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF), and on monitoring and assessments through an informal network of researchers contributing data to the GAA. These programs have accomplished a great deal, but the extent of the current impact on amphibians requires a coordinated, unified approach to amphibian conservation, research, and assessment that is beyond the scope of any of these individual organizations. Recognizing this it was decided to merge the GASG, DAPTF, and GAA into one institution committed to implementing a global strategy for amphibian conservation: the Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG).
The ASG will ensure long-term sustainability of amphibian research and conservation by building on DAPTF’s worldwide network of expert working groups and integrating them into the IUCN’s global network of Specialist Groups. ASG will support development and dissemination of new tools and best practices for adoption and application by a network of local, national, and regional working groups. By mainstreaming amphibian conservation best practices into the global web of international conservation programs, national planning processes, and local practice, the ASG will ensure the sustainability of amphibian research and conservation.
Our Achievements
With the guidance of the ACAP the ASG has been able to implement a range of conservation initiatives in partnership with local and international organizations.
During the last six years the ASG’s direct conservation efforts have included:
- Supporting the creation of 14 new protected areas for amphibians in Latin America, Africa and Asia
- Protecting over 22,000 hectares of critical amphibian habitat, home to over 55 threatened or endemic species
- Supporting dozens of species-oriented research projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America through annual Seed Grant programs
Capacity building, education and outreach are all integral parts of the ASGs approach to amphibian conservation, this is shown through a range of programs including:
- A partnership in Sulawesi with the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation where local communities and children have been actively engaged in educational campaign celebrating biodiversity
- A training course for promising herpetology students in Colombia run in partnership with local NGO ProAves and Global Wildlife Conservation.
- A training course in Haiti run in partnership with Panos Caribbean to teach and train young journalists aged 12-18 in biodiversity conservation, amphibian protection, and conservation communication
- Supported the Creation and implementation of 12 National and Regional Action Plans
The ASG has also Spearheaded an initiative – the Search for Lost Frogs – that supported 126 researchers to undertake expeditions in 21 countries and resulted in 15 species rediscoveries, and counting. The Search for Lost Frogs generated over 700 news articles in 21 Countries with a potential viewership of over a billion, bringing a message about the importance of amphibians to a broad audience.
If you would like to find out more about how you can help with the work of the ASG and our members click here or join our mailing list by submitting your email address below. If you would like to read more about our projects click here.
About Us
ASG
ASG Staff
Dr. James P. Collins
Virginia M. Ullman Professor of Natural History and the Environment, Arizona State University
Dr. Collins has been a faculty member at Arizona State University since 1975. His research group studies host-pathogen biology and its relationship to the decline of species, at times even to extinction. Amphibians are the model system for this research. Dr. Collins’s research also focuses on the intellectual and institutional factors that have shaped Ecology's development as a science as well as Ecological Ethics. Collins was founding director of ASU’s Undergraduate Biology Enrichment Program, and served as co-director of ASU’s Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology and Minority Access to Research Careers programs. He has been chairman of the Zoology, then Biology Department at ASU. At the National Science Foundation he was Director of the Population Biology and Physiological Ecology Program (1985-1986) and Assistant Director for Biological Sciences (2005-2009). Dr. Collins has a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and is an elected fellow of AAAS and the Association for Women in Science.
Dr. Claude Gascon
Vice-President and Chief Science Officer at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Dr. Claude Gascon is Senior Vice-President and Chief Science Officer at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In this role, Dr. Gascon leads the development of conservation goals and priorities for the Foundation and the investment strategy to achieve concrete conservation outcomes. Dr. Gascon manages a team of science and monitoring experts as well as a team of conservation program officers in 4 regional offices around the US. From 1999 to 2010, Dr. Claude Gascon worked in a variety of position at Conservation International. As Executive Vice-President for Field Programs at Conservation International, Dr. Gascon managed 4 Field Divisions and 2 HQ technical Divisions. The Field Programs Unit was responsible for developing CI’s institutional conservation and science strategies as well as their implementation. The Unit comprised over 700 people in over 30 countries around the world. Prior to becoming VP, Dr. Gascon was Deputy Director of the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science. Dr. Gascon completed a Master's in Ecology at Université du Québec à Montréal in Canada and his doctorate in Ecology at Florida State University. Dr. Gascon's areas of research include Biodiversity patterns and causes and Amazonian Biodiversity, especially amphibians. His research has resulted in over 70 publications and 3 books emphasizing Conservation and forest fragmentation in the Amazon, amphibians, and wildlife management. Gascon has appeared in public broadcasting television films on the Amazon Ecosystem as well as in interactive environmental education television programs for US and Brazilian schools. Gascon started his professional career in the Brazilian Amazon as project director and scientific coordinator for the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP) for six years. Gascon also directed a large-scale research and conservation project investigating the distribution and abundance of vertebrate species in the southwestern Amazon region. This project was the single largest scientific expedition in the Amazon since the last century. Gascon is also a visiting professor with the department of ecology at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (National Amazon Research Institute) and a research associate with biodiversity programs at the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution. Gascon has trained many young graduate students in the Amazon through Master's and Ph.D. programs as well as during intensive field courses. Dr. Gascon also acts as co-chair of the Amphibian Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission at IUCN. In this capacity, Dr. Gascon has been responsible for developing the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP), which defines a global strategy for conservation amphibians worldwide. To date, over 50 species of critically endangered frog species have been protected in key areas in the tropics.
Dr. Robin D. Moore
Program Officer of the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, and Amphibian Conservation Officer with Conservation International
Robin Moore is Program Officer of the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, and Amphibian Conservation Officer with Conservation International. Since 2005 he has been responsible for developing, supporting and implementing conservation projects with partners in high priority sites for amphibian conservation around the world. Through targeted habitat protection initiatives, the decline and possible extinction of many amphibian species has been averted.
Robin’s first foray into herpetological research was at the age of 20 when he ventured to the rainforests of Cameroon to study chameleons. He went on to conduct research and develop conservation projects in the Philippines, Trinidad and Chile, before receiving his PhD in Biodiversity Conservation from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, UK. His research focused on the impact of an introduced predatory snake on the endemic midwife toad of Mallorca, Alytes muletensis, and was closely tied to a successful recovery program for the species. In 2005, the toad was downlisted two categories by the IUCN from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable. Immediately prior to working with Conservation International and the ASG, Robin completed a Post-Doc at the University of South Florida. In addition to conducting research into the ecology of an emerging infection disease in gopher tortoises he developed and taught a new undergraduate course in Tropical Ecology and Conservation.
James P. Lewis
Program Coordinator with Conservation International and the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
James Lewis is the Program Coordinator with Conservation International and the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. James’s role within the ASG is to facilitate communication within the ASG network and to help promote public awareness of the importance of amphibian conservation. In addition to communication responsibilities the James is also directly involved in grant management and a number of administrative processes relating to the efficient management of the ASG. James will often be the first point of contact for general enquires relating to the ASG and for enquires relating to FrogLog publications and the ASG website.
Prior to working with the ASG, James spent several years working in Central America helping to develop a number of conservation programs working with international volunteer organizations and most recently the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Ocean Giant Program.
Dr. Ariadne Angulo
IUCN/SSC Amphibian Red List Authority Focal Point
Ariadne completed a Master's degree in Conservation Biology at the University of Kent and a PhD in Zoology at the University of Toronto. Her research interests include bioacoustics, conservation, ecology, evolutionary biology and systematics of amphibians. She became involved with amphibian conservation assessments as a coordinator and assessor in the Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) in 2002, and this involvement has not only continued, but progressively increased over the course of time – Ariadne is currently the Amphibian Red List Authority Focal Point and oversees the maintenance and curation of the amphibian database on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
ASG Staff
ASG
Your Local ASG
Zones, Regions and Countries
The Amphibian Specialist Group is subdivided into a number of smaller geographical groups representing either a country or a region. Each of these groups plays an important role in helping to implement the aims of the ASG. Regional and Country ASGs are an important contact point for researchers, conservation organizations and local governments. Contact information for each of these groups can be found below or on the Regional ASG Members page. Regional/Country ASG groups consist of a Chair who is the main contact point for that group and Members who are recognized as amphibian experts within that region. Additional roles such as Secretary are also present in some regional groups.
1 - North and Central America and the Caribbean
Canada - Chair: David Green
Caribbean - Co-Chairs: Rafael Joglar and Patricia Burrowes
Costa Rica - Chair: Federico Bolanos
Guatemala and Belize - Chair: Jonathan A. Campbell
Honduras - Chair: Franklin Castañeda
Mexico - Chair: Luis Conseco
Panama - Chair: Roberto Ibáñez
USA - Co-Chairs: Mike Lannoo and Geoff Hammerson
2 - South America
Argentina - Chair: Esteban Lavilla
Bolivia - Chair: Mayra Maldonado
Brazil and Guiana Shield - Co-Chairs: Magno Segalla and Marcio Martins
Chile - Chair: Alberto Veloso
Colombia - Chair: Jose Vicente Rueda
Ecuador - Chair: Santiago Ron
Paraguay - Chair: Martha Motte
Peru - Chair: Rudolf von May
Uruguay - Co-Chairs: Jose Langone and Rafael de Sa
Venezuela - Chair: Cesar Molina
3 - Europe, North Africa and West Asia
Europe and N. Africa - Co-Chairs: Inigo Martinez-Solano and Richard Podloucky
West Asia (Turkey, the Levant countries, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and the Arabian peninsula) - Chair: Riyad Sadek
4 - Sub-Saharan Africa
East Africa - Chair: David Moyer
Madagascar - Co-Chairs: Herilala Randramahazo and Franco Andreone
Southern Africa (Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Malawi) - Chair: Alan Channing
West/Central Africa - Chair: Marc-Oliver Rödel
5 - Mainland Asia
China - Co-Chairs: Li Pipeng and Xie Feng
Former USSR & Mongolia - Chair: Sergius Kuzmin
Japan - Chair: Masafumi Matsui
Korea - Co-Chairs: Daesik Park and Robert Kaplan
South Asia (minus Sri Lanka) - Co-Chairs: Karthik Vasudevan and Sanjay Molur
Sri Lanka - Co-Chairs: Anslem de Silva and Madhave Meegaskumbura
Mainland S.East Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) - Chair:
Laos and Cambodia - Deputy Chair: Bryan Stuart
Vietnam - Deputy Chair: Nguyen Quang Truong
Thailand - Deputy Chair: Yodchaiy Chuaynkern
Myanmar - Deputy Chair: Guinevere Wogan
6 - Maritime Southeast Asia and Oceania
Australia - Chair: Ross Alford
Indonesia - Chair: Djoko Iskandar
Melanesia - Chair: Stephen Richards
New Zealand - Chair: Phil Bishop
Philippines - Chair: Arvin Diesmos
Malaysia - Chair: Jeet Sukumaran
Singapore - Chair: Leong Tzi Ming
Your Local ASG
ASG
Partner Organizations
Amphibian Survival Alliance
The Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) is a new initiative set-up by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to coordinate and magnify conservation efforts to stop and reverse the ongoing crisis of global amphibian declines.
In 2009, a coalition of organisations agreed to set up an inter-institutional Amphibian Survival Alliance to oversee the implementation of ACAP – focusing initially on habitat destruction and climate change, the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, and over-harvesting. This is expected to promote synergies and facilitate communications both within the amphibian community and with all the relevant stakeholders. IUCN has recently appointed Dr. Jaime García-Moreno M and Dr. Phil Bishop to serve, respectively, as Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Amphibian Survival Alliance. They will oversee the formation and coordination of a global network of partner organizations to facilitate implementation of research, conservation and assessment programs as outlined in the ACAP.
The ASA is supported by and will be working in collaboration with organizations such as Conservation International, the Zoological Society of London, the Detroit Zoological Society, the North of England Zoological Society, Wildlife Conservation Society and Frankfurt Zoo, as well as related initiatives such as the Amphibian Ark and the Amphibian Specialists Group.Jaime Garcia-Moreno will work from his office at EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) and is based in the Netherlands, closely collaborating with the Zoological Society of London and other partners of the Alliance. Phil Bishop will remain based at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. To contact them directly please email them at the following addresses: Jaime.GarciaMoreno@iucn.org and Phil.Bishop@iucn.org.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice.
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.
IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1,000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. The Union’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland.
Species Survival Commission
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a science-based network of some 7,500 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of, “A world that values and conserves present levels of biodiversity."
Most members are deployed in more than 100 Specialist Groups and Task Forces. Some groups address conservation issues related to particular groups of plants or animals while others focus on topical issues, such as reintroduction of species into former habitats or wildlife health.
Members include:
- researchers
- government officials
- wildlife veterinarians
- zoo and botanical institute employees
- marine biologists
- protected area managers
- experts on plants, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates.
Working in close association with IUCN’s Species Programme, SSC’s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods.
SSC members also provide scientific advice to conservation organisations, government agencies and other IUCN members, and support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.
Amphibian Red List Authority
Red List Authorities are groups of people who ensure that all species within their jurisdiction are correctly assessed against the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria at least once every ten years (assessments that are older than ten years are flagged as requiring an update, given that the status and any supporting documentation provided may no longer be correct; such assessments should be used with caution). Assessments or reassessments should also include the necessary minimum documentation required and should be done in as consultative a manner as is possible. The objective is that every new species assessment included on the IUCN Red List will have been reviewed by at least two members of an appointed Red List Authority or by at least two evaluators/reviewers appointed by IUCN Species Programme staff. This review system places greater responsibility on the Species Survival Commission (SSC) network and its partners to ensure that what appears on the IUCN Red List is credible and scientifically accurate. The Amphibian Red List Authority (Amphibian RLA) is a group of people tasked by the Chair of the IUCN SSC with overseeing the process of updating, maintaining and curating amphibian assessments in the IUCN Red List (http://www.iucnredlist.org/initiatives/amphibians).
The Amphibian RLA is established within the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG), and is considered to be part of IUCN SSC, so RLA members are by definition also IUCN SSC members. Amphibian RLA members are professionals dedicated to the study and/or conservation of amphibians, and who are, at the same time, qualified (through training in the several tools regularly used in amphibian assessments) to assess and evaluate amphibian assessments in the IUCN Red List.
Conservation International
Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, Conservation International (CI) empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity. With headquarters in Washington, DC, CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents.
Amphibian Ark
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has joined with two branches of the IUCN Species Survival Commission – the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and the Amphibian Specialist Group – to form the Amphibian Ark (AArk). Since 2006 the Amphibian Ark has been helping the ex situcommunity to address the captive components of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, saving as many species as possible by providing global coordination, technical guidance, training, necessary linkages to other IUCN groups, communications, and guiding publicity and capital campaigns.
AArk’s vision is the world’s amphibians safe in nature, and its mission is ensuring the global survival of amphibians, focusing on those that cannot currently be safeguarded in nature.
The Amphibian Ark’s goal is 100% participation of WAZA zoos and aquariums and the regional associations. If we do not respond immediately and on an unprecedented scale, much of an entire vertebrate class will be lost, and we will have failed in our most basic conservation mission as defined in the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy.
If you or your institution would like to get involved or need more specific information on getting involved, please contact Amphibian Ark Program Officer Kevin Zippel.
Alliance for Tompotika Conservation
The Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (AlTo) is an international partnership of individuals and communities formed to build a better world, starting in one special place: the lands and waters surrounding Mount Tompotika, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
AlTo is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States and is a registered "Yayasan" non-governmental organization in Indonesia. Within this international coalition, AlTo uses innovative conservation strategies and a direct, people-to-people approach to prevent extinction and build a strong and enduring conservation ethic.
American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a 501(c)(3), not-for profit organization whose mission is to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas.
ABC envisions an Americas-wide landscape where diverse interests collaborate to ensure that native bird species and their habitats are protected, where their protection is valued by society, and they are routinely considered in all land-use and policy decision-making.
ABC is the only U.S.-based group with a major focus on bird habitat conservation throughout the entire Americas. ABC acts across the full spectrum of threats to birds to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and reduce threats, unifying and strengthening the bird conservation movement.
The problems facing birds today are myriad and complex, requiring a far-reaching, bold vision for conservation. ABC has developed a unique and successful strategy to preserve bird diversity and maintain or increase wild bird populations.
Dendrobatidae Nederland
Dendrobatidae Nederland is an international association of members who are passionate about poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae) and other Mantella frogs.
Its purpose is the appreciation for nature and is more focused on the rainforests of Central and South America and Madagascar and poison dart frogs in particular, to help generate, maintain and promote. Main objectives are also promoting offspring, thus protecting the frogs in the natural environment and to promote the maximum dissemination of information regarding Dendrobatidae and other tropical frogs.
Department of Forest Conservation (Sri Lanka)
The Department of Forest Conservation is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Sri Lanka. Its mission is to protect and expand Sri Lanka's forests and woodlands. The head of the department is the Conservator General, M.P.A.U.S. Fernando. It comes under the purview of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.It has limited policing powers in protected forest areas to stop illegal poaching and logging, with the power to arrest suspects.
Some of the forests managed by the Department of Forest Conservation are:
- Hurulu Man and Biosphere Reserve, 1977
- Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve, 1978
- Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN), 2004
Global Wildlife Conservation
The mission of Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) is to use the best science to protect the world’s threatened wildlife and habitats.
GWC is involved in three areas of conservation and science:
- conducting FIELD EXPEDITIONS to the most biologically important areas of the world;
- implementing CONSERVATION RESEARCH AND ACTION on threatened species and habitats; and
- facilitating WILDLANDS CONSERVATION in collaboration with partners.
As a result of a complex array of human activities, the world faces a growing environmental crisis that threatens the existence of its species and habitats. The causes and effects of such environmental problems demand rigorous scientific investigation across national boundaries. Sadly, the majority of the world’s threatened species and habitats have either inadequate or no active science and conservation underway.
GWC is changing that. GWC was founded with a strong scientific base and the knowledge that sound field research and action for conservation is crucial to the long-term protection of the world’s species and their habitats.
GWC works in conjunction with the world’s leading conservation non-governmental organizations, government agencies, universities, zoological and botanical institutions, and museums that have long studied the environment from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Specialists in ecology, biology, physical sciences, environmental planning, and business are working together with GWC to apply the best science available to the global biodiversity crisis.
The goal of GWC is to ensure that important environmental decisions are based on science and to provide scientific decision-support when necessary. Although many critical conservation decisions attempt to satisfy social, political, and economic considerations, too often these decisions are brought to decision-makers and the public without an understanding of the underlying science. It is our belief that fact-based, science is the only way to drive effective conservation in the 21st century. To that end, GWC is a neutral, transparent conservation organization that bases all of its findings and recommendations solidly on science. This philosophy permeates all the work that we advise, fund, and act upon.
Man and the Environment
Founded in 1993, the NGO Man and the Environment (MATE), based in Madagascar, is specialized in sustainable development and biodiversity conservation by involving disadvantaged local populations.
The organization works in specific areas rich in threatened biodiversity, with the aim to demonstrate that the preservation of the environment and human development can go hand in hand. Actions are developed in a holistic manner under a plan involving agricultural support, health and education, forest regeneration programs, increasing the understanding of ecosystems and preservation of endangered species; including development of income-generating activities. This last component works through support for the creation of micro-businesses (production of essential oils and ecotourism) with the ultimate goal of transfering the management to the local population. Ultimately, it will provide people with the opportunity to sustainably manage their local natural resources and reinvest the profits generated to finance educational and health projects.
Man and the Environment aims to provide local communities alternatives to natural resource management that are economically and environmentally sustainable. Madagascar is a global priorities in terms of biodiversity conservation.
ProAves
ProAves is a Colombian non-profit organization that focuses on the study and conservation of our biodiversity, especially birds at risk of extinction and their habitats, in partnership with local communities.
Their objective is to support and promote the protection of Colombia's incredible but endangered natural heritage with the ultimate aim of benefiting the planet and humanity.
Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka
The Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka is a non-profit organization dedicated to the scientific exploration and documentation of Sri Lanka's biodiversity.
Zoological Society of London
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. ZSL's mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.
Partner Organizations
ASG
Support the ASG
The Amphibian Specialist Group strives to conserve biological diversity by stimulating, developing, and executing practical programs to conserve amphibians and their habitats around the world. This is achieved by supporting a global web of partners to develop funding, capacity and technology transfer to achieve shared, strategic amphibian conservation goals. The ASG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a neutral forum in which stake holders convene to focus on global amphibian conservation. The continued success of our programs depend on the generosity of corporate sponsors, foundations and individuals. Whether you are an individual or represent a business or other institution, you can help to ensure that the Amphibian Specialist Group continues to have the resources to provide this unique platform for the global scientific community and the public at large.
There are various ways in which you can help support the work of the ASG.
Individual Giving
To help fund the work of the ASG through financial giving please click here or contact Robin Moore directly.
Corporate Partnerships
There are a number of opportunities for Corporate Sponosership within the ASG. For more information on how your organisation can become directly involved in helping conserve amphibian species on a global scale please contact Robin Moore.
Project Sponsorship
If you are interested in helping to fund a specific project please feel free to contact us directly and we can discuss how this can be best achieved.
Subscribe to the ASG newsletter - FrogLog
FrogLog is a great way to find out what is happening within the ASG and amphibian community in general. You can subscribe by either visiting our Issuu page or subscribing to our mailing list using the tool in the footer of this page.
See how other funding has been put to use
The following book is a recent ASG publication showcasing some of our recent partnerships and achievements, we hope you enjoy and are interested in helping to support further efforts in the future.
Contact Us
For more information about how you can help support the work of the ASG please contact:
Dr. Robin D. Moore
ASG Program Officer
Conservation International
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202
USA
Tel: +1 703 341.2681
Email: rdmoore@amphibians.org
James P. Lewis
ASG Program Coordinator
Conservation International
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202
USA
Tel: +1 703 341.2725
Email: jplewis@amphibians.org
Support the ASG
ASG
FAQ
What is the ASG?
The Amphibian Specialist Group is a global network of dedicated experts who donate their time and expertise to create a community from where practical amphibian conservation can be advanced based on a solid foundation of science. This global network consists of over 600 members in over 40 Regions/Countries enabling the ASG to act on a global scale. The mission of the ASG is to strive to conserve biological diversity by stimulating, developing, and executing practical programs to conserve amphibians and their habitats around the world. This is achieved by supporting a global web of partners to develop funding, capacity and technology transfer to achieve shared, strategic amphibian conservation goals.
Who are the ASG Chairs and what is their role?
The ASG is Co-Chaired by Dr. James P. Collins and Dr. Claude Gascon. The Co-Chairs provide leadership and strategic direction of the ASG, maintaining overall responsibility for the governance, conduct and administration. The Co-Chairs are actively involved in pursuing the advancement of the ASG through collaborative relationships amongst diverse organizations.
Who are the Program Officer and Coordinator and what are their roles?
Frequently the first point of contact with the ASG will be with either the Program Officer (Robin D. Moore, rdmoore@amphibians.org) or the Program Coordinator (James P. Lewis, jplewis@amphibians.org). The Program Officer oversees ASG programs such as implementation of conservation activities including protecting and restoring critical habitats for amphibians worldwide and campaigns such as the Search for Lost Frogs. The Program Officer works with partners around the world to develop and implement these programs, and is the best person to contact when developing amphibian conservation initiatives that fall within the mission of the ASG. The role of the Program Coordinator is to facilitate communication within the ASG network and to help promote public awareness of the importance of amphibian conservation. In addition to communication responsibilities the coordinator is also directly involved in grant management and a number of administrative processes relating to the efficient management of the ASG. The coordinator will often be the first point of contact for general enquires relating to the ASG and for enquires relating to FrogLog publications and the ASG website.
How do I join the ASG and what would my role be?
The appointing of members to Regional or Country ASG is undertaken through nomination by the Chair of that area. An individual’s nomination to the ASG will then be based on his/her interest in being part of the ASG, their willingness to contribute to the group and the ASG mission, and their expertise within the amphibian community. As within any such organization, diversity of expertise is a benefit and for that reason the nomination of seasoned herpetologists through to early stage students are actively encouraged. The ASG is not an exclusive group, however a certain level of expertise is required in order to ensure that the group maintains its role as an advisory authority in the field of amphibian conservation.
Who is my regional chair and what is their role?
To see who your regional chair is check the members page. ASG Regional/Country Chairs are influential representatives of the highest level of scientific rigor and credibility with regard to the conservation of amphibians within their remit. This places a very high degree of responsibility and accountability on all those agreeing to take on the role of a Regional/Country Chair. This role has to date been the focal point for any enquires relating to amphibian conservation in their area and maintains responsibility for the overall strategy of their group.
Do you provide funding for Amphibian Conservation?
The ASG occasionally has grants available, including Funds for Habitat Conservation, ARMI Seed Grants (see page 42 for further details), and the ASG Seed Grants. The Funds for Habitat Conservation support organizations working to protect critical amphibian habitat worldwide. This fund is specifically for direct conservation action, not research (although some funds can be earmarked for survey work if this is an integral component of the overall project). More information can be found on our funding page. ASG Seed Grants are one-time awards of between $500 and $3000 for research that furthers the Amphibian Specialists Group’s mission. This award is currently closed but will be announced through FrogLog when open for applications.
Can you help publicize the work of my amphibian project/conservation efforts?
Yes and it would be our pleasure. There are three main tools the ASG can use to help publicize your work; 1) ASG Website, 2) FrogLog and 3) Facebook. Each resource has its own value and audience so please contact us to discuss options.
Why do you have a Facebook page/why should I join?
Social media is an important tool in raising public awareness and communicating to a global audience in addition to facilitating the exchange of ideas and information among a community of like-minded individuals. The ASG Facebook page is growing on a daily basis and has proven to be a great resource for many herpetologists. You do not have to be a Facebook user to view our page so why not take a look to see what’s happening. We have had species identified, grants advertised and information requests answered, all on the Facebook page. The effectiveness of our Facebook page is dependent on our members, so please join, get your friends to join as well, and help publicize the work of the ASG, our members and all those working to conserve amphibians.
I want to join the ASG mailing list but don’t want to be receiving endless emails from you.
Email jplewis@amphibians.org with the subject heading “add me to mailing list” and don’t worry, we only send out one email a week on this list serve.
Tell me more about FrogLog.
FrogLog is the bimonthly ASG publication. FrogLog aims to:
- Provide an update on global and regional ASG activities
- Present synopses of recent amphibian-related studies
- Provide a summary of recent amphibian related publications
- Inform readers of upcoming events, funding opportunities etc.
FrogLog is not a scientific peer reviewed journal but rather a resource, for ASG members and amphibian conservationist in the wider community, to use in order to keep abreast of current research and activities within the community. FrogLog can be found on our publications section. All enquires regarding FrogLog should be directed towards froglog@amphibians.org or jplewis@amphibians.org.
What is Conservation Internationals role in the ASG?
Robin Moore and James Lewis are based at Conservation Internationals Office in Arlington, Virginia. CI has been a long term supporter of the ASG by providing office space and support for the Program Officer and Coordinator as we work to further the mission of the ASG, in addition to facilitating the implementation of projects through access to a network of conservation practitioners around the world.
Are you responsible for the Red Listing process?
The ASG is involved in the conservation assessment process through its Amphibian Red List Authority (RLA), and all enquiries relating to this process should be directed towards Ariadne Angulo, IUCN SSC Amphibian Red List Authority Focal Point. The ASG supports the Amphibian RLA’s activities, and we are currently developing an online amphibian assessment forum which is hosted on this web site.
If you have a question that hasn’t been addressed here please free to contact us and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
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