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Educational Programs at AF.
The Amphibian Foundation offers world-class educational programs and courses designed to provide engaging experiences for all ages and backgrounds. As you can see below, our classes literally start at 0 years old and go up from there. Many of our adult courses, aside from being highly educational, are designed to provide career-building knowledge and training to better prepare people for careers in herpetology and conservation. At AF, not only are education, training & outreach core parts of our mission, but these programs provide the much needed resources for our critical amphibian conservation initiatives, most of which would otherwise go unfunded.
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Master Herpetologist Program
Online. Certification Program | Ages 18+
The Master Herpetologist Program is a world-class course in herpetology, offered 6 times a year in two different hemispheres (depending on student's time zone). Join a passionate, growing global network of Master Herpetologists, and build a foundation of knowledge. -
Jr Master Herpetologist - In-person
Live. In-person @ AF. Certification Program | Ages 12-17
The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is based on our acclaimed Master Herpetologist Program, but adapted for younger leaners. This 16 week course meets every other week at AF in Atlanta. Join a passionate, growing global network of Master Herpetologists, and build a foundation of knowledge. -
Critter Parties!
Live. In-person @ AF or offsite | All Ages
Truly unique experiences for all ages. Parties can be hosted at AF or elsewhere (generally within 50 miles of AF). The Critter Party page is probably the best page on our website, so you might want to check it out. -
Jr Master Herpetologist - Online
Online. Certification Program | Ages 12-14
The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is based on our acclaimed Master Herpetologist Program, but adapted for younger leaners. This 8 week course has weekly live sessions to engage with the Instructor. Join a passionate, growing global network of Master Herpetologists, and build a foundation of knowledge. -
Critter Camp
Live. In-person @ AF + Friends School | Ages 6-14
Award-winning Critter Camp is our very first educational program, and it will have it's 10 year anniversary in 2024. A science-based, reptile and amphibian weeklong camp! Summer Critter Camps available at 4 locations in the metro area. Spring and Winter break camps available at AF. -
Southeastern Master Herpetologist
Online. Certification Program | Ages 18+
The Southeastern Master Herpetologist Program is a deep-dive, led by regional experts, into Southeastern herpetology. Offered 3 times a year. Join a passionate, growing global network of Master Herpetologists, and build a foundation of knowledge. -
Venomous Training & Certification
Live. In-person @ AF. Certification Program | Ages 18+
This 2-day workshop is a comprehensive training to prepare yourself for working with venomous snakes, or encountering them in the field safely. Using the techniques and protocols laid out by TRC, not a single person (TRC, AF staff or students) has ever been bitten by a venomous serpent. -
Critter Class
Live. In-person @ AF | Ages 6-11
Critter Class includes a lesson, followed by hands-on learning and animal handling with our amazing AF Educators. Critter Class can be enjoyed as a series, or if someone would simply like to drop in for a certain topic. A different group is discussed each time -
Critter Café
Live. In-person @ AF | Ages 0-5
A delightfully casual family experience for our youngest critter enthusiasts, including ones too young for Critter Camp! Our amazing educators lead critter discovery sessions for young children and their parents. A different group is explored each time, such as: frogs, salamanders, GA native species, turtles, lizards, and snakes. All animals are friendly and can be handled if desired. -
Critters & Cabernet
Live. In-person @ AF. | Ages 21+
Critters & Cabernet is a casual learning experience for adults, based on our award-winning Critter Camp. A different group is explored each month with a lesson, followed by (optional) hands-on learning with the animals. -
Husbandry & Captive Management
Online. Certification Program | Ages 18+
The Husbandry & Captive Management Course features expert lectures from many leaders in the field from profession zookeepers, to commercial breeders, private keepers, and nonprofit or agency experts. -
Critter Café
Live. In-person @ AF | Ages 6-9
A delightfully casual family experience for our youngest critter enthusiasts, including ones too young for Critter Camp! Our amazing educators lead critter discovery sessions for young children and their parents. A different group is explored each time, such as: frogs, salamanders, GA native species, turtles, lizards, and snakes. All animals are friendly and can be handled if desired. -
Advanced Jr Master Herpetologist - Online
Online. Certification Program | Ages 15-17
The Advanced Junior Master Herpetologist Program is based on our acclaimed Master Herpetologist Program, but adapted for younger leaners. This 8 week course has weekly live sessions to engage with the Instructor. Join a passionate, growing global network of Master Herpetologists, and build a foundation of knowledge. -
Conservation Research Bridge Program
In-person. Certification & Training Program | Ages 18+
The Conservation Research Bridge Program is designed to provide hands-on, mentored research experiences for before, during, or after college. Work directly with state, federal, and academic partners on critical conservation initiatives.
Latest News43% of the World's Amphibians are in Decline
According to the IUCN, 43% of the world's amphibians are in catastrophic decline, or already extinct. This percentage is higher than declining mammals and birds combined. Amphibians are disappearing from pristine environments, as well as developed areas. Find out more about how you can help — starting right in your own backyard!
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Amphibian Foundation
We’re an Atlanta-based nonprofit that leads one-of-a-kind conservation research programs to address threats in the southeastern United States and across the globe.
We provide unique educational opportunities for all ages to learn about amphibians and inspire conservation.
Established in 2016 by Mark and Crystal Mandica, we collaborate with partners in the fight against amphibian extinction.
Join Us!
The Amphibian Foundation relies on support in the form of annual and sustaining memberships. Our membership program provides the support needed to continue our conservation programs & gives members opportunities to get further involved!
Read More
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Captive Propagation
‘The only hope for populations and species at imminent risk of extinction is the immediate rescue for the establishment and management of captive survival-assurance colonies’ ACAP 2006 Report.
Working with state, federal and international partners, the Amphibian Foundation develops novel, species-specific conservation programs, as outlined in the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP 2006).
The goals of which are always to experimentally release healthy captive-produced offspring into protected and managed habitat.
The ultimate goal is that these species will no longer need our protection and will be safe, once again, in the wild. Read More
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& organizations in order to create & implement lasting solutions to the global amphibian extinction crisis.
Critter Second Sundays in Atlanta @ AF
Critter Café - Ages 0-5
A delightfully casual family experience for our youngest critter enthusiasts, including ones too young for Critter Camp! Our amazing educators lead critter discovery sessions for young children and their parents. A different group is explored each time, such as: frogs, salamanders, GA native species, turtles, lizards, and snakes. All animals are friendly and can be handled if desired.
- 2nd Sunday, 10-11 am
- Ages 0-5
- Coffee, tea, and cocoa provided for parents.
- $20 each session, includes parents!
Critter Café - Ages 6-9
A delightfully casual family experience for our youngest critter enthusiasts! Our amazing educators lead critter discovery sessions for young children and their parents. A different group is explored each time, such as: frogs, salamanders, GA native species, turtles, lizards, and snakes. All animals are friendly and can be handled if desired.
- 2nd Sunday, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
- Ages 6-9
- Coffee, tea, and cocoa provided for parents.
- $20 each session, includes parents!
Critter Class - Ages - 6-11
Critter Class is for students only, and has more structured learning than the earlier Critter Café events. Critter Class includes a lesson, followed by hands-on learning and animal handling with our amazing AF Educators. Critter Class can be enjoyed as a series, or if someone would simply like to drop in for a certain topic. A different group is discussed each time.
- 2nd Sunday, 1:00-2:30 pm
- Ages 6-11
- $30 each session, $175 for the 6 session series