Amphibians need our help! They are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the world, with more than 40% of species threatened with extinction globally. In the United States, amphibian populations are declining by nearly 4% per year — if this rate continues, some species could disappear from up to half their range in just a couple of decades. One of the biggest threats to this group is a disease called chytrid, which has been especially damaging to frog populations.
Luckily, when it comes to the question of how to help out local frogs, the answer can be surprisingly simple: just add water. Frogs rely on water to lay their eggs and for the tadpole stage of their lifecycle. Even adults typically cannot survive long in dry conditions.
So, when natural ponds and puddles are filled in or dry up, frogs lose a crucial lifeline. But if you have a yard — or even a small patio — and the right tools, you can create a watery oasis to help your local frogs and other amphibians thrive.
Here are a few tips to help you build your very own frog pond:
1. Get to know the locals
Spend some time familiarizing yourself with your area’s native frogs by using a tool like iNaturalist or a regional field guide. Some frog species might have specific habitat preferences (like smaller, shallower pools or larger, deeper pools), so this can help you decide which size and depth of water feature might work best. When in doubt, contact a local chapter of a conservation group like The Nature Conservancy or The Wildlife Society.
The northern leopard frog was once common throughout much of the U.S. and Canada, but populations are declining today.
2.Pick a location
Experts recommend putting your pond somewhere it will get direct sunlight and isn’t shaded by trees. Make sure there’s enough space around it to plant some native foliage as well. Consider putting the pond somewhere you can easily see it from a balcony or patio, so that you can enjoy the wildlife it attracts!
3. Select your size
Once you’ve got your spot, it’s time to decide how big you want your pond to be. Factors to consider include how much space you have, your preferred shape, and any preferences of local wildlife that you learned in step 1.
4. Choose your liner
Liners are a crucial part of any pond because they keep water from seeping into the surrounding soil. Some liners are pre-formed in a specific size, while others, like PVC liners, are flexible and more like a tarp. Pick the options that’s right for you.
This small, preformed liner has a variety of depths to support different habitats.
5. Dig a hole
It’s time to break ground! Check out this resource from the USDA for tips on digging and installing ponds depending on the type of liner you’ve selected. It’s a good idea to add some rocks to the edges and bottom of your pond to help hold the liner in place and add some natural elements that can be used as shelter by frogs.
6. Add water and a water pump
Once you’re happy with the shell, grab a hose and fill your pond. You’ll want to get a water pump or waterfall feature for your pond to add movement to the water, which will both keep the water clean and oxygenated and deter pesky mosquitoes.
7. Add foliage and other touches
Ask a local plant nursery about the best native plants to add in and around your pond. Native habitat like this will provide additional shelter and make it more likely for frogs and other wildlife to move in.
8. Sit back and wait for the magic to happen!
While it might be tempting to try to source some frogs to stock your pond, you should always wait for them to come to you. When frogs are allowed to colonize a new habitat naturally, this limits the likelihood of disease spread. You might be surprised how quickly frogs, birds, and other wildlife find their way to you!
A complete frog pond should have a variety of rocks and native vegetation in and around the water.
What to do if you don’t have space to build a frog pond:
If you don’t have a yard (or aren’t feeling bold enough to break ground just yet) there are still things you can do to help your local amphibians! Many frogs will benefit even from a small tub or bowl of water placed on your patio. Look online for container pond starter kits.
There are also options that require no water at all. For instance, you can create a shelter for toads by half-burying a broken flower pot or by Googling “toad house” for a variety of ready-made toad abodes. If you have tree frogs in your area, you might be able to provide them a place to hide simply by driving a couple of PVC pipes into the ground.
Whether you choose to build a frog pond or a toad house, if you’ve been inspired to help out local amphibians, we want to hear about it! Take a picture of your creation and tag us on Instagram @wildhopetv.
Related Content
June 10, 2024
Upcoming: Episode 24: Protecting Paradise
Marine biologist Callie Veenlenturf came to the Pearl Islands to study sea turtles, but soon helped spark passage of remarkable laws that grant legal rights to nature and the turtles themselves.
Many of the world’s most beloved frogs and amphibians are headed for extinction, but inside “The Ark” in Panama, some of those threatened species are given a fighting chance.
Deep in the Panamanian forest, researchers are looking for “lost frogs” — species believed to have gone extinct, but that may be holding on in the wild.
Harlequin frogs (also called harlequin toads) are a group of beautiful, brightly-colored toads found in Central and South America. One species in particular, the Panamanian golden frog, is considered the national animal of Panama and a flagship species for amphibian conservation.
Chytridiomycosis — often called chytrid or BD — is a highly infectious fungal disease linked to the widespread decline of more than 200 amphibian species around the world.
Dr. Gina Della Togna is the Executive Director of the Amphibian Survival Alliance and a Research Associate of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Brian Gratwicke is a conservation biologist who leads the amphibian conservation programs at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Smack-dab in the middle of Rio de Janeiro, stands the world’s largest urban rainforest…and it needs our help. To combat a century of deforestation and hunting, a team of researchers are repairing the forest’s forgotten web of life, one species at a time.
Plants can’t move on their own, so they usually need a little help to spread their seeds far and wide. Animals that scatter these seeds — often by eating the fruit and pooping out the remains — are known as seed dispersers.
Marcelo Rheingantz is a biologist at the Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Executive Director of Refauna. He has dedicated his research career to the ecology and conservation of vertebrate populations in Brazil and South America.
In 2010, Fernando launched the concept of refaunation, and from then on coordinated the Refauna project, which reintroduced populations of agoutis, howler monkeys and tortoises in the Tijuca National Park, in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil is a trove of biodiversity — habitats like the Atlantic Rainforest, urban forests like Tijuca National Park, and more coastlines, rainforests, and rivers that are rich with endemic plants and wildlife.
Ecologists from Mexico’s National Autonomous university relaunch a fundraising campaign to bolster conservation efforts for axolotls, an iconic, endangered fish-like type of salamander.
Just as they have for millions of years, sea turtles by the thousands make their labored crawl from the ocean to U.S. beaches to lay their eggs. This year, record nesting was found in Florida and elsewhere despite growing concern about threats from climate change.
Sea turtles nesting in southeast Florida face a range of manmade threats — and for leatherbacks, researchers still know very little about the species and how to protect them. In the battle to save leatherback sea turtles, knowledge is key.
David Anderson is the Sea Turtle Conservation Coordinator at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. He supervises the collection of sea turtle nesting data along Boca Raton’s five miles of beach.
Dr. Jeanette Wyneken is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), located on the southeastern coast of Florida. She has more than 40 years of experience studying the biology, conservation, and health of sea turtles.
Whether becoming a citizen scientist, or simply a vocal ally for sea turtle protection, there are easy opportunities for anyone to get involved in saving some of our favorite ocean-bound creatures.
In the face of extreme habitat loss, wildlife biologist Dr. Chris Jenkins puts an ambitious plan in motion to save two uniquely American reptiles — the eastern indigo snake and the gopher tortoise — and the longleaf pine forest they call home.
Dr. James Bogan is the Director for the Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, the only facility that breeds the eastern indigo snake for the sole purpose of reintroducing the offspring into regions where the population is believed to be locally extinct.
Christopher Jenkins has worked with Wildlife Conservation Society, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His current projects include land protection in longleaf pine ecosystems, ecology and conservation of timber rattlesnakes and the conservation of giant tortoises.
A flagship species is a creature that serves as the “face” of a conservation campaign to get people invested in the survival of one species can help preserve that creature’s habitat.
Reptiles are in need of support from conservationists and nature-lovers worldwide. Learn how to create more reptile-friendly environments and help build a stronger ecosystem for all types of critters near you.
As urban expansion quickly replaces natural habitats, façade engineer Alistair Law has discovered a new way to restore native ecosystems for pollinators and create natural spaces for us all within cities – by turning the walls of buildings into meadows.
Helping nature take root in cities can often require creativity, dedication, and planning — but when done well, these small patches of greenery provide a necessary patchwork of native plantlife for pollinators that are most in need of our support!
Alistair Law is the founder of Vertical Meadow, an organization that has developed an innovative new approach to growing plants vertically both for temporary and permanent applications.
Prince William got a first-hand look at the waters of New York City on Monday on a visit to an oyster reef restoration project, after arriving in the United States for an environmental summit connected to a global competition for solutions to climate change challenges.
The axolotl has been called a “conservation paradox” — a creature that is ubiquitous in pet stores, science labs and pop culture… yet almost extinct in the wild.
Luis Zambrano was born in Tampico, Mexico, and earned a degree in biology from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). He obtained his doctorate in ecology at UNAM, studying the effects of carp on benthic communities in experimental ponds. Zambrano’s research specialities are aquatic ecology and restoration. A founding member of the Mexican Society […]
As their popularity as pets continues to rise, so does the risk of increasing demand for wild-caught axolotls. Here are some ideas for how you can help this beloved endangered species and other salamanders.
Bioblitzes are quick to set up, fun for kids and adults of all ages, and educational for anyone with an interest in understanding local wildlife. But the observations are important for scientists, too!
The Billion Oyster Project and Living Breakwaters are turning to nature for solutions to human-caused problems, and reviving the city’s relationship with the wild.
While New York Harbor is characterized mostly today by its neighboring industry and commercial traffic, before the impact of humans the waters were a biodiversity hotspot.
