Meet Stafford's New Official Township Amphibian

STAFFORD, NJ — Here's some "ribbeting" news - Stafford has designated its own official Township Amphibian.

The decision came during "Amphibian Week," May 7-13. Mayor Greg Myhre read the proclamation at the latest Township Council meeting and said he hoped it would inspire more awareness to the species and how to protect them.

Stafford's chosen amphibian is the Pine Barrens tree frog, a species that is currently endangered due to loss of habitat.

The township did a similar thing in 2022 when they named the diamondback terrapin Stafford's official reptile, and Myhre said it worked well.

"I've noticed a lot more people protecting their nests, a lot more people - people in this room, actually - putting up signs. And I think I've seen fewer road fatalities," Myhre said.

While the tree frogs are endangered, the species is considered stable in New Jersey because of the large expanses of protected Pinelands area, Myhre said.

"The actions of our residents are integral in protecting our local Pine Barrens tree frog population and the overall environmental health of our community," Myhre read from the proclamation.

David Werner, an instructor at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science and Envirothon team coach, accepted the proclamation and shared some information about these frogs.

"It has become more stable in population because of our awareness and things like this, making it a focal point of a town," Werner said.

He noted that building all around the Pinelands has impacted the tree frogs.

"We're trying to live with them and coexist with them," Werner said.

He also played a brief audio clip of a Pine Barrens tree frog and said many have likely heard its croak before and not even known.

"They're a very special species," Werner said.

Werner thanked Myhre and the Council for bringing attention to the frogs.

Myhre said that the township encourages "all of our residents to do their part in protecting this vulnerable and tremendously important species."