
From Responsible Herpetoculture Journal, 'Advancing the conservation of the foul and loathsome creatures of the Southeastern United States' - May 2024
By Mark Mandica
"A decade ago, US Fish & Wildlife held a meeting in Starkville, Mississippi USA to address the imminent extinction of two enigmatic southeastern ambystomatid (mole) salamanders: Ambystoma cingulatum and A. bishopi. Collectively known as the ‘flatwoods salamanders’, these species were listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1999 (as threatened and endangered, respectively), and since then, their populations have continued to decline by 90%. In attendance at this meeting were several stakeholders (state and federal agency officials, leading salamander ecologists, staff from San Antonio Zoo and what is now the Amphibian Foundation - AF). The goal was to begin drafting a federal Recovery Plan — a plan to ‘recover’ the species to the degree it no longer needs protection under the ESA. A Recovery Plan is legally required documentation for any species listed under the ESA, and is meant to guide the multi-faceted conservation action for the species of concern. It was determined at that meeting in 2014 that it would be necessary to establish captive survival-assurance colonies (CSCs) for both the Frosted (A. cingulatum) and Reticulated (A. bishopi) Flatwoods Salamanders in order to prevent an extinction level event for these amphibians. The Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (2007), which aims to coordinate global conservation efforts for amphibians, states that “In the face of overwhelming and sometimes acute threats to many amphibians, such as disease or habitat destruction, the only hope in the short-term for populations and species at imminent risk of extinction is immediate rescue for the establishment and management of captive survival-assurance colonies.”
In 2016, the Amphibian Foundation founded with the single purpose of stopping the extinction of the Frosted Flatwoods Salamander (our logo is a larval flatwoods salamander), and immediately set up indoor and outdoor labs at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Atlanta to house genetic populations of ‘Frosties’ as a CSC. The Amphibian Foundation held the only ex situ (outside of the natural location) population of Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders in the world, and immediately began developing protocols for the successful hatching, rearing, and management of this CSC in the laboratory."

Since then, AF has centered inclusivity in partnerships, development, and recruitment. As we've grown as an organization and community (please see below), we expanded the Frosted Flatwoods Salamander conservation program by spearheading a Conservation Breeding Working Group with other leaders in the field. Plus, have added additional conservation priorities, examining many different aspects of biology, ecology, conservation, education, and communication in and around amphibians — the beloved slimy underdogs.
Most people aren't even aware that amphibians are disappearing from our ponds, streams, forests, and wetlands all around the world, so we undergird these critical conservation projects with comprehensive and dynamic educational programs that start with 0-5 year olds at Critter Café on Sundays and all the way up to a year-long gap-year immersive training program — the Conservation Research Bridge Program.
AF is dedicated to connecting individuals, communities, and organizations in order to create and implement lasting solutions to the global amphibian extinction crisis.
Co-founders

Mark Mandica
Founder, Executive Director Mark is a life-long amphibian conservationist, and leads novel conservation studies focused on endangered species. He is also a biologist, scientific illustrator, instructor, and musician. Most importantly, he is a father and husband.

Crystal Mandica
Founder, Director of Education Crystal has piloted many unique, exciting programs, introducing thousands of students to amphibians and reptiles. She is the founder and director Critter Camp and manages the Research and Education Laboratories at AF.
AF is about connecting folks with amphibians, and we are proud to highlight all the folks who have joined the cause below.
Conservation Research Bridge Program

Mark Mandica

Crystal Mandica

Roxana Pena Popo

Ashley Byrd

Maura Dudley

Sasha Greenspan

Marjan Ghadrdan

John Measey

Erin Thibodeau

Casey Perkins

John Palis

Kevin Blackwell
Education

Crystal Mandica

Amanda Dahlgren
Education Coordinator

Taylor Cone
Educational Programs Coordinator

Boris Berlijn
Virtual Education Coordinator

Marjan Ghadrdan
Venomous + Adult Programs Coordinator

Meg Hussey

Erin Shebish
Virtual Education Administrator

Maryann Barbon
Educator

Roxana Pena Popo
Educator

Tina Bullock
Educator

Jessica Shartouny
Educator

Tess Yaney
Educator

Thomas Geaslen
Educator

Phoebe Offenberg
Educator

Sami Netherton
Educator

Jeffrey Weiss
Field Educator

Julio Winhold
Special Educator

Mireille Lofquist
Critter Transportation Specialist
Collections

Crystal Mandica
Collections Manager

Amanda Dahlgren
Laboratory Manager & Invertebraculturist

Jeffrey Weiss
Facilities Manager

Ashley Byrd
Conservation Collections Coordinator

Michaela Daniel
Inventory Specialist

Barb Marston
Collections Volunteer

Cassie Ashby
Collections Volunteer

Brittany Szafran
Collections Volunteer

Nicholas Holmes
Collections Volunteer

Raquel Gonzalez
Collections Volunteer

Jess Jemper
Collections Volunteer

Karl Guyton II
Collections Volunteer

Brian Richards
Collections Volunteer

Mireille Lofquist
Collections Volunteer

Nadine Contreras
Collections Volunteer

Phoebe Offenberg
Collections Volunteer

Arina Alexandrova
Collections Volunteer

Brodie Horn
Collections Volunteer

Stephen Lewis
Collections Volunteer

Laurel Tree
Collections Volunteer

Caleb Whittington
Collections Volunteer

Sandra Adams
Collections Volunteer

Alec Keodara
Collections Volunteer

Maggie Nesbit
Collections Volunteer

Bill Bohling
Collections Volunteer

Kyunghee Moon
Collections Volunteer

Cole Harmon
Collections Volunteer

Chinmoy Paul
Collections Volunteer

Gabriela Herbert
Collections Volunteer

Rett Tolentino
Collections Assistant

Anthony Mandica
Collections Assistant & Namer
Communications

Erin Shebish
Communications Lead

Meg Hussey
Social Media Coordinator

Brie Chilton
Content Writer

Emily Capps
Content Strategist

Jess Thompson
Content Analyst

Hikari Miya
Magazine Editor

Tess Yaney
Staff Photographer

Kevin Blackwell
Staff Photographer

Russ Erickson
Web Developer
Venom

Marjan Ghadrdan
Venomous Programs Coordinator

Sami Netherton
Venom Instructor

Roxana Pena Popo
Assistant Venom Instructor

Vahab Rajaei
Assistant Venom Instructor
Board of Advisors

Joel Sartore

Laura Turner Seydel (Advisor)

Michael Goldman

Chris Jenkins

Nancy Jones
Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Meisa Salaita
ScienceATL
Atlanta Science Festival

Michael Black
Georgia State University

Betty Hanacek

Erin Shebish
Science Advisory Board

Tobias Landberg
Science Advisory Board Chair

Duncan Irschick

Susan Walls
USGS - Amphibian Research & Monitoring Initiative

John Jensen

Jen Stabile

Harold Mitchell

Andrew Gray
The Manchester Museum
AF Alumni
We are grateful for the opportunities to work with so many amazing, passionate, and dedicated people along the way ...

Abbie German

Abbie Loughman

Abby Needell

Abby Tharp

Ahmad Ansar

Alexa Ponder

Ajoke Ifarinu-Ojelade

Alex Jimenez

Alyssa Bachmeier

Amanda Ramirez

Amanda Sargent

Ana Luisa Ahern

Anna Mayrand

Audrey Pepi

Becca Rodriguez

Bella Kezios

Bree Gentry

Brooke Clark

Camelia Hood

Cammie Caldwell

Carola Garcia Manzano

Charifa Sidi

Chelsea DesJardins

Cheri Robinson

Cheyenne Hogan

Christine Beard

Claire Chinery

Dani Davis

Dani Glover

Danielle Crownover

Danya Vass

Davisha Tuitt

Dixie Currey

DJ Welch

Eden Nitza

Einola Carter

Elizabeth Gritzmacher

Ellen Dymit

Elliott Diggs

Emily Reynolds

Emma Brown

Emma Slutsker

Erica Fischer

Erin Frew

Evan Holland

Gabe Andrle

Helana Broome

Henry Adams

Isabella Challis

Jake Kassel

Jasmine Little

Jasmine Williamson

Javiera Constanzo

Jennifer Turner

Jenny Wilson

Jermiko Sims

Jin Uzeda

Juan Taquechel

Katie Clayton

Katie Roberts

Kellen Murphy

Kelsey Strickland

Kendra Hernandez

Kiedon Bryant

Kyra Bassett

Lacey Avery

Leo Ware

Lyssa-Jean Yonezawa

Marty Sims

Maya Nelson

Maya Risin

Melanie Valle

Michael Berry

Miranda Pederson

Morgan Peek

Polly Strott

Ryan Myers

Sam Mae

Sean Goggin

Shania Osgood

Sierra Sutton

Shiloh Bauer

Sophia Charuhas

Susan Sweeney

Susie Masecar DVM

Tessa Cafritz

Tessa Winbigler

TieuAnh Phung

Victoria Gould

Virginia Williams

Will Peninger

William Cooper

Yarrow Koning

Yi Yin
Foundational Partners

US Fish and Wildlife Service
Flatwoods Salamander Recovery Team leader | We have worked with USFWS since 2012 on a recovery plan for the imperiled flatwoods salamanders - Ambystoma cingulatum and A. bishopi. Most recently, we are working with the service on the captive breeding and experimental release of Gopher Frogs, Rana capito.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Flatwoods Salamander Recovery Team member | We have partnered with GA DNR since 2009 on Gopher Frog, Flatwoods Salamander, and other native amphibian initiatives. We also work with them on outreach projects and amphibian monitoring in the state.

US Geological Survey
Flatwoods Salamander Recovery Team member | We have partnered with USGS for two major initiatives. The first was in 2003 for a Critical Ecosystems project modeling amphibian communities in Everglades National Park, FL and most recently on the recovery plan for flatwoods salamanders.

Florida Fish and Wildlife
Flatwoods Salamander Recovery Team member | We work with FFWCC at the Florida sites for Ambystoma cingulatum, the Frosted Flatwoods Salamander, mostly with field sampling of larvae at St Marks Wildlife Refuge and Appalachicola National Forest. We also collaborate on the Striped Newt Repatriation Program.

The Turner Foundation
The Turner Foundation has been a huge supporter of our work, particularly with the recovery of the federally listed Frosted Flatwoods Salamander. The Turner Foundation's support enabled us to build the Flatwoods Salamander Lab and the Amphibian Research and Conservation Center.

Turner Endangered Species Fund
We are partnering with the Turner Endangered Species fund on a comprehensive amphibian study of the Avalon property in north Florida, as well as habitat restoration work for the conservation of four target imperiled amphibian species from that region: Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders, Gopher Frogs, Striped Newts, and Ornate Chorus Frogs.

Andrew Sabin Family Foundation
Andy Sabin and the ASFF have been a important partner in their support of the construction of the Amphibian Research and Conservation Center. The A.R.C.C. is a completely unique conservation tool, located at the Amphibian Foundation for one purpose: the captive propagation of imperiled North American amphibians. It wouldn't have been possible without the contributions of the ASFF.

Southern Conservation Partners
Southern Conservation Partners helps local initiatives and communities across the southern U.S. to save, restore, and enhance premier environmental resources and natural heritage assets. We promote innovative collaborations designed to conserve and honor the South's natural heritage and ecological health. SCP is the fiscal sponsor of the Amphibian Foundation.

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
AF is closely aligned in mission and dedication with PARC and works with them on Amphibian Week and many other initiatives

Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
We have worked closely with SEPARC over the past 15 years, sponsoring meetings, and collaborating in projects with Souhtheastern amphibians.

Blue Heron Nature Preserve
Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Atlanta is not only where AF is located, but Blue Heron's generosity — particularly when we were first starting — made many things possible for us to help amphibians. The preserve also allowed us to set up 33 artificial wetlands called mesocosms, where we maintain several Captive Survival-Assurance Colonies for imperiled native species.

PhotoArk
We have worked with Joel Sartore on both his Photo Ark initiative and on the feature documentary — Racing Extinction. He is on our Board of Directors and has been a huge supporter of our work, including the incredible donation of his Vanishing Amphibians exhibit of incredible photography, which is on permanent display in our Amphibious AF Class Room.

University of Georgia
We partner with the Maerz Lab at the University of Georgia on many amphibian research and conservation projects in the Southeast.
Flatwoods Salamander Conservation Partners















Striped Newt Conservation Partners










Gopher Frog Conservation Partners





Blue-spotted Salamander Conservation Partners


Amphibian Conservation Partners







Education, Outreach and Communication Partners






















University Partners










https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4738-692X