2014 | HIGHLIGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS amphibian conservation INTRODUCTION Zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have made long-term commitments, both individually and as a community organized under the Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group (ATAG), to the conservation of amphibians throughout the Americas and around the world. With the support and hard work of directors, curators, keepers and partners, 85 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums reported spending more than $4.2 million to maintain, adapt and expand amphibian conservation programs in 2014. The stories in this report are drawn primarily from annual submissions to AZA’s field conservation database (available when logged into AZA’s website under “Conservation”), as well as from articles submitted directly to AZA. They share the successes and advances in the areas of reintroduction and research, conservation breeding and husbandry and citizen science and community engagement. These efforts are the result of extensive collaborations and multi-year (even multi-decadal!) commitments. AZA congratulates each of the members included in this report for their dedication, and encourages other facilities to become involved. The ATAG has many resources to help people get started or to expand their engagement in amphibian conservation, and people are also welcome to contact the facilities included in this report or the ATAG Chair, Diane Barber (
[email protected]). Cover: Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer). Widespread throughout the eastern United States and with a familiar call to many, the spring peeper was the most frequently reported frog by FrogWatch USA volunteers in 2014. Although reports of spring peepers began in February, they peaked in April.