What: A special opportunity for the news media to meet premiere scientists working on amphibians. They’ll discuss the issues: Why are amphibian populations declining? Why are more amphibians being found with deformities? Are amphibian die-offs increasing? What are the implications for other forms of life?

When: December 7, 2000, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Where: Department of the Interior, Room 6641, (1849 C St., NW, Washington, D.C.) Reporters are asked to call Rebecca Phipps (703) 648-4414 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2000, if they plan to attend. Reporters must show press credentials including a picture identification to gain access to the Interior building.

*** Reporters from outside the DC area will have an opportunity to participate via a conference call with the scientists. For more details, and to register for the conference call, call Rebecca Phipps at (703) 648-4414 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2000. ***

Who: Amphibian experts from across the country, including disease specialists, researchers and toxicologists.They are:

• Dr. David Green - USGS pathologist specializing in amphibian diseases who has done recent research on chytrid fungus and other disease-causing agents.

• Dr. Donald Sparling, USGS contaminants specialist on the effects of contaminants on amphibian decline, specifically in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

• Dr. Carol Meteyer - USGS clinical pathologist, who will discuss recent advancements in amphibian malformations, specifically facial cleft malformation in northern leopard frogs.

• Dr. Steven Corn, USGS herpetologist, an expert in amphibian population monitoring work in the Northern Rockies.

• Dr. Chuck Peterson, Idaho State University, an amphibian monitoring researcher in Yellowstone National Park, whose work includes remotely sensed breeding habitat using a hyperspectral image spectrometer.

• Dr. James Hanken, Harvard University and International Chair of the Declining Amphibians Population Task Force who is an expert on amphibian declines world-wide.

• Dr. Susan Walls, USGS herpetologist, amphibian research and monitoring activities in the Lower Mississippi River Basin.

Media Advisory
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation, economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy and mineral resources.

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