Summer Fun: Count Frogs or Fireflies for Science

If summer evenings seem lonelier than they used to, there's a reason: Two critters that give the night its festive feel – fireflies and frogs – are on a serious decline, and scientists are seeking help figuring out why.

The National Wildlife Federation’s Frogwatch and the Museum of Science, Boston’s Firefly Watch part of a growing citizen-science movement that aims to harness the power of hobbyist wildlife watchers everywhere to gain important data about disappearing species.

It’s easy to monitor your backyard or a nearby park: Firefly Watch and Frogwatch both provide a simple online registration and orientation that prepare you to track your area's sights and sounds. 

--Jamie Hansen