An Ode to the Toads of July
Sageland Riverscape Intern, Dani, with a boreal toad. Photo by Sierra Hastings.
In the heat of the summer, we understand why boreal toads hang out at higher elevations. Cool mountain streams, warm and shallow basking pools, and afternoon thunderstorms? We're in. Sign us up to be a toad.
Okay, perhaps we cannot be a toad - but we can certainly survey those high alpine areas for them! This month, volunteers and partners have scoured wetlands from Fish Lake National Forest to the High Uintas in search of these elusive toads.
With breeding season wrapping up, you can find boreal toads outside of their typical breeding sites as they find the perfect spot to hunker down. Find some inspiration for planning your own Independent Toad Adventures below!
Independent Adventures Highlight
Lower Pass Creek, independently monitored in 2023. Photo by Jenny Makosky.
If you were unable to join us on any of our guided toad surveys, worry not! We're still in the thick of toad season, and we're always looking for volunteers to independently monitor wetlands of interest around Utah!
Independent monitoring can take place at any of the locations where we already survey for toads or anywhere in Utah above 6,000 ft near standing or slow moving water. You can either sign up ahead of time, or monitor opportunistically!
So next time you're heading out for a high-elevation hike, swing by Utah's Hogle Zoo Guest Service Desk or the Sageland Collaborative office and grab a Boreal Toad Backpack. These packs have all the tools you need to complete a survey!
Looking for volunteer resources? Check out the Boreal Toad Project page for all training materials and resources. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
June Volunteer of the Month,
Parker Lloyd!
We're excited to introduce our June Boreal Toad Volunteer of the Month - Parker Lloyd!
In June, Parker contributed 25 observations to the Utah Pollinator Pursuit project and monitored wetlands with us through the Boreal Toad Project, providing valuable data that inform habitat management decisions for our native pollinators and amphibians.
Meet Parker in the interview on our blog below!
In the News
We're excited to share an exciting update from our boreal toad conservation neighbors to the West!
Earlier this season, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Colorado Parks and Wildlife released more than 2,200 boreal toad tadpoles into Colorado's wetlands. This initiative seeks to increase Colorado's boreal toad population, where boreal toads are currently listed as endangered.
These conservation success stories are just a glimpse into the outstanding efforts of collaborative partners and volunteers across the region, and we are proud to contribute to this work here in Utah.
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.