Meet our September Volunteer of the Month, Jenny Makosky! Jenny monitors an independent site as part of the Boreal Toad Project, documenting these species as well as potential amphibian habitats in Utah. With amphibians in the West facing development, chytrid fungus, climate change, and other threats, work like Jenny’s is critical to support targeted conservation planning and make sure these species are here for years to come.

Jenny’s passion for amphibians is reflected in her detailed data forms and careful notes from her independent monitoring site. Not only does she get out on this project, but she also brings her children to spark the next generation of amphibian conservationists. A big thank you to Jenny and her amazing young conservationists!

Get to know Jenny in our interview below.

*Jenny searching for boreal toads at ponds in Utah. Photo: Jenny Makosky.*

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I have an undergraduate degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College, where I did field research on House Wrens in Minnesota and amphibians in the Western Ghats in India. I also have worked as an environmental educator in both Minnesota and Georgia, and I have a MD from the University of Minnesota.

I love exploring the natural world. You will often find me outside with my family hiking, biking, backpacking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and camping.

What originally drew you to the Boreal Toad Project?

I have loved amphibians since my childhood in Minnesota. Part of my interest was sparked by the mystery of malformed leopard frogs found in my home state during the 1990s. Since then, I have been fascinated with amphibians and their role as an indicator species. I look for amphibians everywhere I go. On a trip to Peru, I even made my husband camp out with me in the rainforest to look for poison dart frogs at a research station.

The Boreal Toad Project is a way to combine my interest in amphibians with a citizen science project. I also love that I can include my kids in the project by taking them out to the field with me. I just started this year and I am excited to continue to volunteer each season.

What do you love most about volunteering?

I love that the Boreal Toad Project has multiple ways to be involved, both through group and independent field experiences. I originally signed up to investigate the Strawberry River site independently.

For the first site visit, we went out as a family with one of the Toad backpacks. It was a great way to show my kids what field research is like and use some scientific tools. We looked not only for amphibians, but also other wildlife in the area. We saw signs of beavers, freshwater macroinvertebrates, birds, deer, dragonflies, and so much more.

*Jenny’s daughter Zoë, poised to catch a tiger salamander in the Uintas. Photo: Jenny Makosky.*

After the Strawberry river experience, we stumbled upon some areas in the Unitas that had tadpoles and salamanders while hiking. My oldest daughter, Zoë, was so excited after surveying the Strawberry River site, she came back with me to further investigate these sites in the Uintas. While we didn't find any boreal toads, we did find numerous boreal chorus frog tadpoles, several adult boreal chorus frogs, and many adult tiger salamanders. Zoë was ecstatic to be able to catch one of the tiger salamanders. It has been wonderful to see her excited about field research and to share my love of amphibians with her.

I have also loved being able to learn more about Boreal Toads and other amphibians from the Sageland Collaborative staff.

Conservation projects like this one depend on the generosity of volunteers and donors like you. Don’t forget to make a donation for wildlife and lands in the West.

Any favorite stories from volunteering on the project?

My favorite part of this experience was going to investigate an area in Uintas where we had seen signs of amphibians while on a hike. This was an area that I have passed by many times over the years without stopping to look closely. I loved seeing how many tadpoles, frogs, and salamanders we stumbled upon when we took the time to stop and look. I also treasure the joyful look on my daughter's face when she caught a tiger salamander.

How do you feel about wildlife and places in the West?

I love exploring the natural world. Here in the West, that has often meant exploring our mountain and desert landscapes. I love finding amphibians, but I also love finding what other wildlife inhabit the area, whether it is invertebrates, birds, mammals, etc.

I want the wildlife that call these places home to continue to be around for my children to see and appreciate as they grow. If we do not act now to help preserve these species and places, they may vanish. Natural ecosystems give me a sense of place and greater belonging to the world. I want future generations to be able to have this experience as well.

What would you say to others thinking of volunteering?

Join a project that sparks your interest. You do not have to have a background in the sciences to be a part of this work—just a passion for the natural world and the wildlife that calls it home. If you have an interest in frogs and toads, pick up a toad backpack and go explore a mountain lake, pond, or wetland area. Or sign up to be a part of a group field experience. You won't regret it.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Thank you for doing so much community science. Community science helps make science accessible to the general public. It also helps deepen people's connection to the natural world.

Get involved in community science like this by volunteering or donating today!

Author: Sarah Woodbury. Photos: Jenny Makosky.

In Search of Utah's Cryptic Boreal Toads—Kids In Tow

Sageland Collaborative • 824 South 400 West, Suite B119, Salt Lake City, UT 84101• (801)328-3550• info@sagelandcollaborative.org