Project Profile: Control Bullfrogs and Restore Native Amphibians to Protect Imperiled Wetlands of Southwestern Parks

An American bullfrog closeup.

NPS / Grace Kirk

Inflation Reduction Act
Restoration | FY23-25: $996,499

The National Park Service (NPS) is implementing the restoration of native amphibians in over 20 sensitive wetlands across eight southwestern national parks - Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Saguaro National Park, and Tuzigoot National Historical Park. Project objectives include eradicating invasive, non-native American bullfrogs, reducing pathogens spread by these invasives, restoring native amphibians and aquatic reptiles in park wetlands, and developing an early detection/rapid response system to identify and prevent bullfrog recolonization.

Why: American bullfrogs are voracious predators – often referred to as “the Great White Shark of the Southwest” – that directly contribute to the decline of various native aquatic species in the Southwest, including several threatened and endangered species (TES). Additionally, bullfrogs can spread amphibian chytrid and ranaviruses, which are pathogens of global conservation concern for their extremely harmful impacts to aquatic Mexican and narrow-headed garter snakes, Arizona toads, Chiricahua leopard frogs (all of which are federally listed TES or TES candidates), and unfortunately many more common native amphibian species. Climate change projections suggest that bullfrogs might adapt better than their amphibian counterparts, further endangering native species.

Anything Else? This project aligns with the mandate to restore native wetlands and supports the recovery of state and federally listed threatened and endangered species. A public communication strategy, media, and products for the project will be developed and produced by a Scientist in Park intern, and will reach at least 250 youths through NPS programs and outreach.

Learn More About This Project

About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of our nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.