The Australian Museum’s FrogID project addresses a critical need to safeguard our frog species, many of which face extinction.
By harnessing digital technologies and public participation for rapid, large-scale biodiversity data collection, FrogID has achieved conservation outcomes that traditional scientific methods could not attain alone. With over 370,000 app downloads and 88,000 user accounts, the project has amassed over 690,000 submissions, resulting in more than one million scientific records of frogs in just six years. Over 26 research publications have utilised FrogID data, revealing how frog species are responding to impacts of climate change and habitat modification, and nine new species have been discovered. Beyond science, FrogID fosters a stronger connection between community and country. Participants learn about frogs' roles and develop a sense of appreciation and awareness of their local biodiversity.
Digital challenges such as enhancing user experience and managing data effectively are met with innovative solutions, including the exploration of AI for frog call identification. In 2025, the project is developing machine learning models to embed AI in FrogID, leveraging the project’s unique acoustic dataset to train ML models for enhanced efficiency and accuracy of bioacoutsic frog monitoring.
As a prominent born-digital natural science collection, captured through a citizen science initiative, FrogID's impact is shaping conservation policies and inspiring public engagement with nature.
Megan Lawrence is Head of Digital at the Australian Museum (AM), leading digital experience design, development and media production. The Digital team works collaboratively with agencies and industry partners on web and mobile projects inspired by the AM's natural science research and cultural collections. Recent projects include the complete redevelopment of the Museum's flagship website australian.museum, product development of the FrogID citizen science project, accessible audio guides and digital twin experiences of museum exhibitions. Megan has also been collaborating with Audiocraft to produce a new form of museum podcast - Nocturnal Worlds: journeys through nature for sleep and relaxation.