A volunteer led identification and conservation project to help the SARA listed species Western Toad cross from their year round habitat to their breeding grounds in the wetlands of the Columbia River.
Each year Western Toads move downslope from their forest habitat on Mt. Mackenzie and Mt Cartier, to breed in the marshes at the edge of the Columbia River, the adults then return to the forest followed by the toadlets in late July or early to mid-August (temperature dependent). Each crossing means traversing Airport Way which can be busy with residential, business and recreational traffic.
Inspired by initiatives undertaken by the Valhalla Wilderness Society and Kootenay Conservation Program, Wildsight Revelstoke aims to improve the survival rate for adult Western Toads and toadlets by helping them to cross Airport Way during their peak migration times. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we will visit Airport Way at dusk and on rainy days to help move toads off of the road. Toad Watch activities include recording the sex, vitality status, location and direction of travel to collect valuable information on our local population of Western Toads.
We are looking for volunteers to assist with Toad Watch 2024!
If you are interested, please contact revelstoke@wildsight.ca.
Information for volunteers:
- Read the Toad Watch Safety Protocols
- Read the Toad Watch Tutorial: Gaia for information on how to use the Gaia app
- Sign-up for volunteer shifts by adding your name and number to the date you plan to survey on the Shared Calendar (each survey will occur along Airport Way a half hour after sunset, usually lasting around 3 hours)
- Join the Facebook Group to coordinate shifts with other volunteers
- PPE will be provided for all volunteers, but please bring:
- Friends, family and fellow amphibian allies to Toad Watch with. Nobody goes toading alone!
- Headlamp
- Bear spray
- Charged cell phone with the free version of Gaia GPS installed
- Water
- Weather appropriate clothing
- Fill in our Survey Sheet to let us know when you have completed a survey
- Look for toad breeding sites whenever and wherever you can – see the Amphibian ID Sheet to learn more about how to identify egg masses and tadpoles
- Tell your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to not speed on Airport Way after sunset, and to keep an eye out for toads while they are driving
- Record additional information on toads and frogs outside of Revelstoke, especially if they are in a dangerous spot, at FrogWatch Incidental Observations
Learn more about Western Toads and amphibians:
Guides & Resources
- BC Reptiles & Amphibians
- A Guide to Amphibians North of 50
- BC Reptiles Guide on Western Toads
- Amphibian ID Sheet
- BC Conservation Data Centre
- FrogWatch
- Amphibian Guides of BC
Conservation Plans & Initiatives
- Species profile SARA registry
- BC Western Toad Management Plan
- Valhalla Wilderness Society Western Toad Project
- Toad Angels Video
For Kids
