Diving into Boreal Toad Season!

 

Toad surveyors at the Willow Lake survey area. Photo by Sierra Hastings.

June marks the start of our Boreal Toad Project surveys, and we are so excited to search Utah's high-alpine wetlands for toads with you and our partners!

All guided day trips, camping trips, and independent adventures are now open for volunteer sign ups! Check out the list here and sign up to join us and our partners at Utah's Hogle Zoo for some toad surveys.

Please note - Spanish interpretation services will be available at select sites as noted on the sign-up sheet! Feel free to reach out for further information or for additional accessibility accommodations. 

An Update from the Hogle Zoo Conservation Team

After ten years of working with toads in both Washington and Utah, Boreal Toad Project co-lead Kayleigh Mullen is making a shift to another declining taxa - freshwater fish! She will be leaving the Zoo on June 14th and starting a new position with Trout Unlimited, focusing on the Wasatch Front. She looks forward to restoring creeks for both native and sport fish (through an amphibian lens of course), and working to increase flows to the Great Salt Lake. She is excited to watch the toad program grow under Keilani and Mary's leadership, and hopes to still attend some surveys!

“To everyone who has helped on the boreal toad surveys, thank you so much for your time, your passion and spreading awareness on this threatened toad cutie. I will forever be humbled by our community's willingness to give up their weekends, sleep on the ground, wade through swamps, brave mountain weather and travel hours on unpaved roads in pursuit of conservation, in pursuit of taking action for the little guys. Thank you.” - Kayleigh Mullen

On behalf of the project team - thank you, Kayleigh, for your countless contributions to the conservation of this beloved species! Your leadership on this project has been invaluable and has paved the way for so many budding conservationist. Your passion has inspired so many to look at toads in a new light, and we could not be more grateful for all of the work you've done. We're all wishing you the best in your endeavors with Trout Unlimited!

This is a bittersweet departure, and while we will miss working with Kayleigh on this project, we are beyond excited to introduce your new Hogle Zoo point of contact for all things toads - Keilani Fang!

Keilani with a boreal toad on a 2023 survey. Photo by Sierra Hastings.

Keilani joined Hogle Zoo as a conservation intern in 2021 and fell in love with toads and field work from the moment she spotted her first toad. Under Kayleigh’s expert mentorship and guidance, she has transitioned into a conservation technician position. She has spent the past two summers participating in and leading toad surveys and is excited to continue this summer! She hopes to carry on Kayleigh’s passion and knowledge of all things toad related. She can't wait to "go toadin" with all of you this summer.

If you haven't already met Keilani, we hope you'll join us in welcoming her as you embark on surveys throughout the field season!

Volunteer Resources

All of these resources and more can be found throughout the season on the project page. 

For questions about the Boreal Toad Project, to turn in Independent Survey Forms & Pictures, please email us at borealtoad@sagelandcollaborative.org

Thank You

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

Not able to join us in the field this year? Please consider supporting this work through donating, sharing on social media, or passing this email along to family or friends who might be interested. 

Don't hesitate to email us at borealtoad@sagelandcollaborative.org with any questions.

 
Sierra Hastings