Calling All Toad Lovers: Join Our Volunteer Training!
Boreal toad being weighed on a 2022 survey trip. Photo by Sierra Hastings
It's here! It's finally time to scour Utah's mountains and sagelands in search of the elusive boreal toad. Whether you're an experienced herper (lover of amphibians and reptiles) or you're new to all things scaly and slimy, we need you on this project!
Attend our upcoming project training to learn how to join our growing team of volunteers across Utah who care about toad conservation.
2023 Volunteer Training Info:
Mark Your Calendar!
What: You're invited to join us for our Boreal Toad Project training, where you'll learn how to recognize all life stages of boreal toads and assess habitat conditions. Project leads will share opportunities to make field site visits to survey for boreal toads throughout Utah. Volunteers can either do independent surveys or join surveys led by scientists.
When: Saturday, April 22, 2023, 9:30am MT
Where: The Natural History Museum of Utah
Not able to join us in the field this year? Please consider supporting this and other conservation work through donating, sharing on social media or with family and friends, or volunteering your expertise in other capacities on the project.
Why Is This Project Important?
Boreal toad survey and habitat assessment data gathered by community scientists over the past years have been vital for conservation. The information you have collected continues to be incorporated into the new Boreal Toad Conservation Action Plan that will be published by Utah Division of Wildlife this year.
Volunteers themselves also get an array of benefits from this work, including:
Learning how to identify toads
Contributing to local conservation
Gaining an ability to look at and understand ecosystems in new ways
Connecting to local lands and getting outside
Improving skills and experience in wildlife conservation
Finding toads, reptiles, and other wildlife
Surveying for boreal toads. Photo by Amber Kirkham
2021 project volunteer Amber Kirkham says:
"It's taught [my family] to take a more detailed look at the places we already venture, learn more about the habitat, and explore to see what amphibians we can find. Each hike has been a new adventure. Now, whenever we head out to play outdoors, we always grab our "toad bag" and help support wildlife conservation."
Join us as we embark on this crucial work to support our warty neighbors!
Meet the Team!
With their combined passions for boreal toads, conservation, and all things wildlife - Mary Pendergast and Kayleigh Mullen make up the dynamic duo that co-lead the Boreal Toad Project.
Thank You
This huge effort to conserve sensitive amphibians would not be possible without your dedication. Thank you!
For everything you need for this project, visit our Project Page and 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 last year on the project, please feel free to share them with us by emailing borealtoad@sagelandcollaborative.org.