California Red-legged Frog Workshop 
April 14 – 15, 2010
The Alameda County Conservation Partnership and Los Vaqueros Reservoir & Watershed are pleased to host this workshop for the 6th consecutive year. California red-legged frog specialists Galen Rathbun, Ph.D. and Norman Scott, Ph.D. will be returning as instructors. Class size is limited to 24 participants, to provide a focused learning environment. The workshop includes day and night-time field sessions in small groups to allow for a more interactive experience with the presenters and species.
$375 – Includes light breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Space is limited so please register early. Confirmed Registration is on a first come, first served basis, upon receiving payment, until space is filled. Groups for the field sessions are limited to 12 people each. Please register (see below) by April 1.
Information on equipment required for workshop attendance can be found below.
 Workshop Objectives
This is a great opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for monitoring projects where potential impacts to California red-legged frogs have been identified. It will also provide an understanding of the biology and management of California red-legged frogs that will be useful in research, conservation planning, and educational outreach to producers and others who are considering projects to benefit California red-legged frogs. Participants will receive training in surveying, catching, handling, identification, sexing, and study techniques (PIT tagging, radio tracking), and habitat requirements and management of the California red-legged frog. The course will not cover regulatory topics in detail.
Workshop Agenda
April 15: 8 am to 2 pm – Classroom
Overview of biology and management of the California red-legged frog. Demonstration of equipment, frog identification, and PIT-tagging and radiotracking techniques.
April 15: 2 pm to 6 pm – Field Site Instruction
Habitat requirements, corridors, pond designs, metapopulation dynamics, tadpole identification, and survey techniques.
April 14, 15: 8 pm to 12 am – Night Field Session (Choose one of two sessions)
Night-time survey techniques. Norman and Galen will demonstrate catching, handling, sexing, and measuring of adult frogs.
Instructors
 Galen Rathbun: Galen’s research interests include the behavioral ecology of vertebrates, conservation biology of declining species, and the application of innovative field techniques. His recent research includes understanding the basic life history of California red-legged frogs and Pacific pond turtles, the impacts of cattle grazing on a community of small mammals in the San Joaquin Valley, and the evolution of monogamy in elephant-shrews (sengis) and dassie rats in Namibia (southwestern Africa).
Norman Scott: Norman has academic interests in the biology, ecology, biogeography, and evolution of reptiles and amphibians. He has authored or coauthored more than 70 papers, mostly on tropical reptiles and amphibians, but also monkey populations, duck taxonomy, and bird faunas.
Important Information
Field Supplies and Equipment
Please bring field-ready clothing and footwear. Waders or hip boots are required for surveying ponds, and waders are strongly recommended. A headlamp or other strong, non-LED flashlight is strongly recommended for the night survey. A complete list of required and recommended equipment is below. Participants are also required to sign the waiver below in order to participate in the field sessions.
Food and Beverages
Morning beverages, snacks, and lunch will be provided. The Conservation Partnership will do its best to accommodate special dietary needs when the registrants notify us in advance. Please note that we are not located near stores or restaurants.
Registration
Confirmed Registration is on a first come, first served basis, upon receiving payment, until space is filled. Groups for the field sessions are limited to 12 people each. Please register by April 1.
Online registration through Eventbrite and PayPal (secure sites). You do not need a PayPal account in order to pay through PayPal. Simply enter your credit card information.
Waiting List and Alternative Workshop
Our online registration is now set up to create a waitlist once the workshop capacity is filled. Click on the "Click and Register" button above, and if the workshop is sold out, you will have the option of adding yourself to the waitlist. Please let Pete Van Hoorn know if you have any questions or technical difficulties with the waitlist process, and provide your most reliable contact information (cell phone, most-checked email, etc.).
The Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program is offering the exact same workshop, at the same price, on April 7th and 8th. For more information on that workshop, see:
http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/training/show_train_detail.php?TRAIN_ID=CaSC1KP
Workshop Cancellation and Refunds
The Conservation Partnership reserves the right to cancel or postpone a workshop or a portion of an event such as a field session for any reason, particularly for the lack of sufficient registration, incapacity of leader/speaker, inclement weather, etc. In the case of cancellation, registrants will receive full refunds, and in the case of postponement those who are not able to attend the new date will receive full refunds.
Participants who wish to cancel their registration will receive a refund minus a $50 administrative fee if they inform Pete Van Hoorn by March 22. Partial refunds after March 22 may be granted at the discretion of the RCD Executive Officer.
If you have questions about the workshop or registration process, please contact Pete Van Hoorn.
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