Journal of Science Policy & Governance
Volume 26, Issue 01 | June 16, 2025

Policy Memo 
Implementing Pesticide Usage Standards in the US to Mitigate Amphibian Decline

Jason M. Motley
  • George Mason University, Fairfax, Virgina, USA 

​​​Corresponding author:  [email protected] ​​​
Keywords: pesticides; amphibians; conservation; biodiversity
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG260106

Executive Summary

This memo is directed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). It addresses the significant amphibian decline in the United States (U.S.), attributing it largely to human activities, particularly pesticide use in urban and agricultural areas. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to pesticides due to their permeable skin, and exposure can lead to lethal and sublethal effects. Despite their crucial role in ecosystems, human public health, and significant decline rates, many at-risk amphibians lack adequate protection and research funding. The memo proposes several policy options to mitigate these issues: updating and expanding pesticide regulations, modifying the timing and application of pesticides near amphibian habitats, and increasing federal and corporate research on pesticide impacts on amphibians. The memo recommends a more specific regulatory process, increased research funding, and public education to protect amphibian populations and the ecosystems they support. The memo acknowledges the difficulties and complexities of implementing new regulations and standards policies but advocates for more research on pesticide effects on amphibians as crucial for successful policy implementation. Protecting amphibians from pesticide exposure is crucial for their survival and maintaining the valuable ecosystem and human health research services they provide, ultimately benefiting human well-being.

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Background header image courtesy of European Wilderness Society
Jason Motley is a recent Master’s graduate from George Mason University who studied Environmental Science and Policy and is a research intern at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). His research focuses on population ecology, wildlife conservation, and environmental science communication, emphasizing amphibians and reptiles. At USGS, Jason contributes to projects focused on monitoring freshwater fish species, studying reptile phenology, and analyzing trends related to climate change. He has designed an ArcGIS story map highlighting the CreelCat recreational fishing database. Jason's past research includes projects on sea turtle carapace color variation and human- wildlife interactions in urban settings. He has held research positions at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation and Savannah State University, where he worked on diverse projects ranging from turtle exclusion devices to analyzing white-tail deer activity patterns. Jason has fieldwork, data collection, GIS mapping, R programming, and data analysis skills. He has been recognized for his leadership and academic achievements, being selected as the 2023 Commencement Speaker for the George Mason University College of Science. Additionally, he has received several awards, including the Environmental Science and Policy Ambassador Award and Best Master’s Thesis/Project Award. Jason will continue pursuing his passion for science outreach and education, attending Wake Forest University to work towards his PhD in Biology, focusing on population ecology and modeling. He aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding to inform conservation policy and management.

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