Calling All Toad Lovers...
Boreal toad being weighed during a survey. Photo by Sierra Hastings.
It's here! It's finally time to trek across Utah's mountains and wetlands 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!
Join our upcoming project training to learn how you can be part of a growing team of volunteers across Utah who are working to conserve wildlife and their habitats.
2024 Volunteer Training
You're invited to join us for our Boreal Toad Project training! Join project leads and fellow toad enthusiasts to dive into the importance of this work, learn how to ID toads in the field, and practice survey protocols. Beverages, light snacks, and lunch will be included for all registered participants.
The training will be hosted on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10:30am-12pm at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington, UT. Unable to attend in person? Training videos, resources, and site sign-ups will be available on the project page following the event.
What this Project Made Possible in 2023
Boreal toad survey at Strawberry Reservoir in 2023. Photo by Sierra Hastings.
Thanks to work with Utah’s Hogle Zoo, volunteer field trips, and independent community science surveyors, the majority of the known boreal toad breeding sites were monitored across Utah in 2023. This was despite a long winter this year, meaning challenging site access days due to snow drifts on the approach. In fact, the wet year made for more breeding sites than we have seen in the last few years!
Utah Hogle Zoo's Keilani Fang taking water quality measurements on a survey. Photo by Sierra Hastings.
In addition to amphibian survey and habitat assessment trainings and field trips, this year, Sageland Collaborative and Hogle Zoo biologists worked with our Riverscape Restoration team to survey for toads and assess habitat conditions before and after restoration work is completed. This allows future work to prioritize improving habitat conditions for these high alpine amphibians where low-tech restoration activities are already taking place.
We look forward to contributing more to this work in 2024, and are grateful for the passionate partners and volunteers who make it all possible - thank you!
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.
Kayleigh Mullen, Boreal Toad Project Lead, Utah Conservation Supervisor with Utah's Hogle Zoo.
“Every year we have people come on surveys who are new to the field of conservation, or Utah, or amphibians, and they get to experience something new. I love seeing people experience nature and fall in love with it.”
Mary Pendergast, Boreal Toad Project Lead, Conservation Ecologist, Sageland Collaborative
“After ten years, I still get a rush of excitement every time I see a boreal toad in the wild. It is such a privilege to work with dedicated partners and community scientists, some of whom have returned to the volunteer surveys year after year.”
Thank You
This huge effort to conserve sensitive amphibians would not be possible without your dedication. Thank you!
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.