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.
Toad Watch 2022 is LIVE. We will be out nightly after 8:30pm throughout May to #stopthesquish and move our Western Toads.
Here’s how you can help!
- Read the Toad Watch Tutorial document
- Read the Toad Watch Safety Protocols document
- Join us for Toad Watch from 8:30pm onwards along Airport Way. Sign up here. Download this sheet to record nightly observations and volunteer shift length. 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.
- 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 from 8:30pm onwards and to keep an eye out for toads while they are driving.
- Record additional information to 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
