Hop into March with Council's frog-friendly environmental workshops

Of the 80-plus species of frogs living in New South Wales, about a quarter reside in Newcastle. Join one of Newcastle City Council's frog-friendly workshops in March to learn more about these fascinating creatures and how you can help protect them.

"Frogs are a vital component of our ecosystems and they are easily affected by changes in the air, water and land," said Council's Environmental Education Officer Angus Weingott.

"They are good indicators of the environmental health of our region, but they are also in trouble world-wide due to habitat loss, pollution and disease. The more we know about them the more we can help, so come along to get up close and personal with frogs."

There are talks, walks and even a backyard frog habitat building workshop.

Frogs of the Hunter (talk and habitat walk)
Thursday 15 March 6pm to 8pm
Elermore Vale Community Centre
129 Croudace Road, Elermore Vale

PhD candidate Chad Beranek will introduce you to many frog species that live in and around Newcastle. The first half of the evening will be a presentation followed by a walk along Ironbark Creek to see what we can hear and discover.

Build your own backyard frog habitat
Saturday 17 March 9am to 11am
Wallsend South Public School
Smith Road, Elermore Vale

Frog Habitat Hikes (evening spotlight walks)
Tuesday 20 March 6:30pm
Blackbutt - Richley Reserve
Entrance off Freyberg Street, New Lambton (meet in car park - duck pond end)

Wednesday 21 March 6:30pm
Wallsend Brickworks Park
Meet on Victory Parade, Wallsend (opposite Crest Road)

For all workshops, please wear covered shoes and long pants, and bring a bottle of water, a torch (if attending a habitat hike) and a rain jacket if rain is forecast.

Call 4974 2622 or email aweingott@ncc.nsw.gov.au to book.

A workshop will also be offered for people who would like to learn more about Council's Landcare volunteer groups.

Landcare - what is it?
Wednesday 7 March 9am to 12pm
Elermore Vale Community Centre
129 Croudace Road, Elermore Vale

We're going on a Landcare hunt! Join Council staff and volunteers as we search for the source of Ironbark Creek. Have an adventure and find out what Landcare is all about.