The New Student Orientation (NSO) of 2019 seemed to mark the beginning of a new relationship between the Oregon spotted frog and the University of the Fraser Valley. The symbol of a frog marched ahead of the academic procession, sat on the chests of student leaders, and rested on ceremonial banners at this year’s NSO. As an amphibian biologist attending this orientation as a guest, I pondered the sight of this rare, endangered species in such an unfamiliar habitat; what does this frog have to do with UFV?
I can tell you, as a UFV alumnus (B.Sc. in Biology, 2014), that Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) and UFV go way back. In the very first year of my undergraduate degree I was taught the importance of volunteer and work experience when on the path to becoming a scientist. In the summer of 2009 I volunteered with another UFV alumni, Andrea Gielens (B.Sc. in Biology, 2002) at the Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre. Andrea was raising these special frogs from tadpoles to little froglets in captivity for release into the wild, giving them a better chance of survival.
I fell in love with the conservation field, and since then I have continued to work and volunteer with Andrea and other Oregon Spotted Frog (OSF) Recovery Team members. Today, I am a professional biologist and member of the OSF Recovery Team, working to recover Canada’s most endangered amphibian. I’m proud to say I am continuing the tradition of mentoring future UFV graduates in the way of the frog, introducing fantastic students like Sasha Tuttle (OSF team summer intern, 2016) to the important work we are doing.
Now, I am blown away to see the Oregon spotted frog front and centre in an event welcoming students to this fantastic institution that has not only changed my life, but has changed the lives of other Oregon spotted frog team members and, ultimately, the trajectory of conservation for this species.
The truth is, whether you are a science student, arts student, child care, or criminology student, the Oregon spotted frog is an important symbol for all of us. They are the most endangered amphibian in Canada and are only found in the Fraser Valley. Yes, right below our feet lies some of the most important land for conservation in this country. When frogs are missing from an ecosystem it is like a canary in the coal mine, alerting us that something is wrong. The way we are living in the Fraser Valley has fallen out of balance, and I believe it is the responsibility of all Canadians to work to recover our home, regardless of your profession. New students of 2019, in the spirit of metamorphosis, the frogs call on you to take up the mantel and become the leaders of tomorrow we need to make sure the symbol of your orientation does not become a eulogy to a lost species. Together, let’s protect this frog and our future. We are UFV students; it is what we do.
T-shirt design: Chantelle Trainor-Matties
