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I bet you have seen a frog or toad in your backyard or neighbborhood. Right? We don't normally think of amphibians as "wildlife" to nurture and provide habitat for -- but it can be fun, rewarding and essential for a balanced ecosystem.

Learn more about the frongs and toads in your area by checking the habitat available, and making sure it is inviting to these valued members of a healthy enviroment for all of us.

Border plantings of easy-care landscape roses will reward your tender whispers of appreciation with long lasting, abundant white, pink or red roses. REMEMBER: Use only organic, non-harmful fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides if you want to protect wildlife. Flower Carpet (mixed colors) by Tesselaar

* You can build a backyard pond for frogs that includes plants, a log or two and lots of hiding and feeding cover for the tadpoles. Some leaves and branches in the pond will do the job. They provide cover as well as added nutrients and structure for small tadpole and frog foods to grow.

* Build a permanent rock pile, log pile, and/or brush pile in the shade.

* Leave fallen logs on the ground, letting them decay naturally.

* Leave some leaf litter on the ground or in your planting beds.

* Create a "toad abode" with a shallow dish of clean water next to an overturned clay pot.

* Do not use fertilizers, insecticides or herbicides in your landscape.

* Keep your cat indoors.

Visit the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center web site:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/narcam/idguide/specieid.htm

Subscribe to National Wildlife Federation's "Habitats" newsletter of their Backyard Wildlife Habitat (TM) Program. Their Winter 1999 issue covered a wide array of information about Amphibians.

http://www.nwf.org/habitats

National Wildlife Federation
8925 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22184

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