“Let the Fundraising Begin!”

Pittsford Dairy sons Rob and Charles Corby deliver the green ice cream. Photo Credit, Lindsay Graham

We’re looking forward to our Sixth Annual Froggy Family Birthday Party on August 11, from 3 to 6 pm.

All donations are earmarked for Vernal Ponds in the Robert C. Corby Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Let’s keep mosquitos away by investing in our community vernal pond(s) to be installed in April of 2025.

We Would Like to Thank Our Two Earliest Donors.

The first official member of A Frog House contributed $50

B.G. from Rochester contributed $50 last week Photo Credit, Lindsay Graham.

Our youngest and smallest long time member’s mother donated $100

The little one’s mother, K.T. from Irondequoit, contributed $100. Photo credit Lindsay Graham

This young lady still hasn’t grown into her Save The Frogs Day at A Frog House shirt from 2019, but wears it faithfully to every event.

If they will support Pittsford Village, won’t you?

Our challenge on Sunday is to see how much of the remaining $7,850 for the first pond we can raise.

There are several opportunities for you to spend your money on Sunday: admission, raffles, auctions, Adopt A Frog, Adopt a Vernal Pond, Tips for Frogs, Tips for Food, Tips for Freebies, Tips for Native Gardens and Plants (all labor and material funded entirely by me, The Frog Lady Margot Fass, and Car Pal Entrepreneur, S. Lindsay Graham).

We take Venmo, Paypal, cash and checks. We need to guesstimate our ice cream, cake, snacks and drinks needs, so please register here

Please stop at our registration booth when you arrive.

Vernal Ponds

Definition

Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Photo credit, Thomas Biebighauser.

Vernal pools, also known as spring or ephemeral pools, are found in glaciated areas, and fill with water from precipitation in the fall and winter, but dry up in warm weather. They can be as small as a puddle or as large as a shallow lake.

The quantity of water present and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment, even when they are dry.

Conservation Benefits

Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Photo credit, Thomas Biebighauser.

Habitats for biodiversity: rare plants and animals, including amphibians, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, some spending the dry season as seeds, eggs,
Food sources for songbirds, ducks, egrets, hawks, bats, and other mammals, turtles and snakes.
Specialized environment based on leaf litter and other organic material in the basin broken down by a variety of organisms providing part of the food chain.
Flood control by trapping water and sediments.
Water purification by filtration of pollutants that could enter waterways and drinking water supplies.
Erosion control and groundwater recharge
Mosquito Control
Low maintenance, no artificial structures
Advocacy, Collaboration, and Educational Opportunities
Beauty and peace of mind

Vernal Ponds are Disappearing!

Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Photo credit, Thomas Biebighauser.

Because of drainage, it’s estimated that we’ve lost 90% of vernal ponds across the United States.

Threats to Vernal Ponds

Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Photo credit, Thomas Biebighauser.

Reduced Regulations
Chemicals and Fertilizers
Forest Canopy Destruction
Drainage for Farming
Addition of Predators (fish)

How to Save Vernal Ponds

Coranado National Forest, Arizona. Photo credit, Thomas Biebighauser.

Don’t

- add or remove plant debris
- add fish or other animals
- collect plants or animals
- drain ponds or alter the surrounding watershed

Do

- Advocate for improved regulations
- Avoid chemicals and fertilizers
- Maintain the forest canopy
- Protect ponds from off-road vehicles and machinery
- Together we can build one or more of these in the Robert C. Corby Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary by April 28 of 2025!!!!!

Please Donate to Help Us Build Vernal Ponds

Tom Biebighauser says it’s easy to build vernal ponds! Photo credit unknown.

Together, under the expert eyes of Thomas Biebighauser, we can build one or more of these in the Robert C. Corby Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary by Save the Frogs Day, April 28 of 2025!!!!!