Kristiina J. Hurme

 
 

Save the Frogs

SAVE THE FROGS! is the world's leading
amphibian conservation organization. Their mission is to protect amphibian populations and to promote a society that respects and appreciates nature and wildlife.
Every year on Save the Frogs Day

Sharing a love and interest in amphibians with local children! - Storrs, CT, April 28th, 2012

amphibian biologists around the world rally together to educate the public about the
plight of amphibians

“I added some clips from Life in Cold Blood to get them psyched about frogs before I depressed them, and it was a success! Thanks for the inspiration to spread the word! :)”  - Storrs, CT, April 30th, 2010

and current conservation efforts. At UConn, we have participated in Save the Frogs Day since 2010, where I lectured to 200 students from my Intro Bio for
Nonmajors class! In 2012 we ran an educational booth

I just mailed STF the check and the signatures and it felt great! ;) Thanks again!" - Storrs, CT, April 28th, 2012

and talked to tons of kids and gathered a bunch of ban atrazine signatures! It was a fun day! We talked to at least 100 people, mostly elementary school students and parents! Thanks to the frog goodies (stickers, wristbands, flags, t-shirts, etc.) and frog cookie cutters, we were able to raise $97.07 in donations and collect 38 signatures for the petition against atrazine!
 

Citizen Science


In collaboration with Alejandro Rico-Guevara, we are using iNaturalist to collect photographs of wild hummingbirds feeding on flowers. Studies suggest that the local abundance and diversity of hummingbirds are dependent on seasonal food plant abundance.

By gathering data on the preferred plants of various hummingbird species, in addition to the timing of flower production in different areas, we can assess how plant abundance is affecting hummingbird populations.

Citizen scientists are contributing to our research by uploading their observations of hummingbirds drinking from flowers!

Scientific advisor

Alejandro Rico-Guevara and I were invited to be scientific advisors on the documentary HUMMINGBIRDS: JEWELLED MESSENGERS, from Terra Mater Factual Studios, and narrated by David Attenborough. Watch the scenes we helped to film! 

Hummingbird and Flowers Project