Auroraadvocate.com - Museum exhibition addresses amphibian death, habitat loss

A new Cleveland Museum of Natural History exhibition takes a closer look at amphibians, the threat of extinction they face and the role of humans in both their decline and survival. The exhibition, "Toad-ily Frogs," will be on display in the museum's Corning Gallery through Sept. 28.

Scientists have reported on the decline of amphibians for some time. But the situation is reaching crisis proportions - presently one-half to one-third of all amphibian species worldwide could become extinct within a human lifetime if present conditions continue.

To encourage positive change, the global conservation community has dubbed 2008 the "Year of the Frog." Locally, the museum, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and more than two dozen other area conservation- and science-oriented organizations have partnered on "Leap into Action," a regional initiative led by Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to highlight amphibians and their habitats through special events, activities, displays and programs.

As part of this effort, the Museum has produced the new exhibition "Toad-ily Frogs." Several Museum staff members collaborated on content and presentation, including educators Beth Gatchell, Kate Iverson and Stacey Heffernan, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology Dr. Tim Matson, Center for Conservation & Biodiversity Associate Director Renee Boronka and Biodiversity Alliance Conservation Program Coordinator Dr. Cathi Lehn.

"This exhibition will help visitors understand the global problems that face amphibians and show them how to take action to preserve amphibian habitat," Gatchell explains.

The exhibition is a stop on the Leap into Action passport, which is available for $1 plus tax in the museum store. That dollar will be matched by the Cleveland Zoological Society and go toward creating and maintaining vernal ponds for amphibians in Cleveland Metroparks. Visitors can complete a scavenger hunt that uses the exhibition and other displays throughout the museum and earn a sticker for their passport.

Other events and locations at which visitors can earn stickers, plus detailed information about amphibian conservation, are listed at www.forfrogs.org.

Museum hours, admission

"Toad-ily Frogs" is included in the Museum's admission fee, which is $9 adults; $7 ages 7 to 18, college students with IDs and seniors 60 years of age or older; and $6 children 3 to 6. Wednesday evening admission is $5 after 5 p.m. Shafran Planetarium shows are $4 per person with admission.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is at 1 Wade Oval Drive in University Circle, just 15 minutes east of downtown Cleveland. Museum hours are: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, call 216-231-4600 or 800-317-9155, or visit the museum's Web site at www.cmnh.org.