Hundreds of Baby Boreal Toads In a Time of Drought

We were excited to see over 100 tiny boreal toadlets—plus one tadpole—on a recent survey camp trip! Thank you to the volunteers, project partners, and interns who spent a few days in the rain and braving long back roads for this project.

We were also happy to see some bonus herpetofauna (a word that refers to reptiles and amphibians in a region) on the trip: boreal chorus frogs, tiger salamanders, and a few garter snakes.

(Left) A boreal toadlet shown next to a finger for scale. (Right) Just a few of the hundreds of toadlets seen at a site on a recent survey camp trip. Photos: Sarah Woodbury

On the same trip, other sites where our team normally sees boreal toads this time of year were dried up. This unfortunate reality highlights why data from you, our community scientists, is so crucial. With information gathered on toad populations over the past few years, scientists are better equipped to understand how populations may be impacted by factors like this year's drought. They can also use this data to plan for future conservation.

Without this project, made possible by volunteers and donors like you, it would be difficult to determine the ways boreal toad populations are shifting and how best to approach their conservation. Community scientists offer hope for conservation in challenging circumstances.

Project partner staff, volunteers, and interns survey a site in central Utah for toads.

It's not too late to join this project and have an impact on wildlife conservation. You can get involved by turning independent (and beautiful) hikes into boreal toad surveys OR by joining a scientist for a field survey.

Had something come up this summer? 

If you won't be able to join us in the field this year but still want to be part of boreal toad conservation, please consider supporting this and other conservation work through donating, sharing this project through social mediaor with family and friends, or volunteering skills like office or design work.

Volunteer Highlight

Meet Katie Gregory, our Boreal Toad Volunteer Highlight! This is Katie's first year on the project.

She says this of her experience: "I am newly retired and wanted to join a citizen science project to get outside and get moving. Toads and trails were a perfect match since I enjoy being able to hike for a conservation cause. My favorite part of volunteering has been spending time with young volunteers and interns whose passion for wildlife conservation is so energizing and hopeful!"

"On a recent trip to Willow Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon, I experienced a different aspect of the Boreal Toad Project. Beyond the critical need for observation and data collection, volunteers can also provide an important advocacy component. I was amazed at the number of other hikers who stopped to ask us, “What are you looking for?” They were genuinely interested. Their curiosity provided many small moments to engage and educate the public about Utah amphibians and the vital role we all play in protecting the watershed and surrounding habitats."

Thank you, Katie, for all your work to conserve these special toads, and we can't wait to keep seeing you out on the trail!

How to Get Involved

Kevin Wheeler (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources) surveys for boreal toads.

1. Review the Training - Watch our recorded training to get started or refresh your knowledge.

2. Complete the Volunteer Form - Before participating in this project, volunteers must fill out our Volunteer Application Form.

3. Sign Up for a Field Visit - Sign up online for either independent surveys or scientist-led surveys.

Additional steps for Independent Surveys ONLY:

4. Print Materials - Review/print the Individual Survey protocol and print field forms and a cheat sheet to take with you on site visits. 

5. Pick Up OPTIONAL Toad Buckets: To gather extra data, pick up a toad bucket from the Guest Services office at Hogle Zoo, any day, 9am-1pm. Four day checkouts max.

Thank You

This huge effort to conserve sensitive amphibians would not be possible without your dedication. Thank you!

For printable resources, signup sheets, field forms, project updates, and survey protocols, visit our Project Page. Please contact us with any questions.

As always, your stories can help reach others and make a difference for boreal toads. If you have any stories, photos, or videos from the project, please feel free to share them with us by emailing sarah@wildutahproject.org.