New legislation in the state senate would designate an official state amphibian - the gray treefrog.
The legislation is being pushed by a group of 5th graders from Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Midland.
Patrick Bevier is the Elementary Principal and 5th grade teacher at the school. He said he’s always been bothered that there isn’t a state amphibian.
“We have virtually everything else. We have mammals and reptiles and birds and flowers and fossils and even soil. We have so many official state symbols but they’ve overlooked amphibians.”
The gray treefrog is a nocturnal amphibian whose range covers the entire state.
Bevier said his classroom has six class pets.
“Two of them are gray tree frogs. They are super cute, they are the only true tree frog in Michigan, they change color and the kids just love them. The kids named our two Lil Sticky and Junior.”
Bevier said his class has worked closely with Senator Stamas on the legislation and hopes to take his class to Lansing for a hearing on the legislation.
“The thing we’re most looking forward to if it happens is they will invite our students to the hearing to eventually decide if they want to put this to a vote. We’ll bring the frogs with us.”