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Written by ISWG Member Joe Drake
The American bullfrog, while native to Virginia and the eastern US, is an invasive species in the west. There, it competes with and consumes native amphibians, threatening biodiversity.
The Mims Lab is conducting research to identify strategic and efficient ways to remove the American bullfrog from western waters. As part of this project, PI Meryl Mims and lab members Joe Drake and Grace O'Malley organized and led a collaborative workshop in May 2023 in southeastern Arizona. The workshop included sessions related to the history, context, and results of their research. Topics covered genetic analyses, acoustic monitoring, and simulations aimed to help identify management solutions. Guest speakers spoke about landscape scale logistics of removal and the specifics of removal tactics and techniques.
Attendees represented a broad coalition of organizations. While some attendees had decades of experience in invasive species management, others were there to begin planning and executing their own bullfrog removal programs. Beyond the presentations, breakout sessions allowed attendees to share information and discuss common needs. These exercises allowed for consensus building concerning critical knowledge gaps in invasive bullfrog ecology and management. Feedback from the event will be integrated into the Mims Lab research program, allowing them to tailor data to meet manager needs. The workshop was a success, with extremely positive feedback from participants!
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